Calcutta HC To Hear Plea Challenging ‘Exclusive’ Use Of Central, PSU Staff As Counting Supervisors In Bengal Polls

The Calcutta High Court is set to hear a petition questioning the decision to appoint only central government and public sector undertaking (PSU) employees as counting supervisors for the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.

The plea raises concerns over the exclusion of state government personnel from the counting process, arguing that such a move may lack justification and could impact the fairness of election administration.

The matter comes in the backdrop of the two-phase polling exercise in the state, with voting held on April 23 and April 29, 2026. 

According to the petition, limiting supervisory roles exclusively to central and PSU staff is being challenged as an “arbitrary” approach. The petitioner contends that a broader pool of officials should be considered to ensure transparency and institutional balance in the counting process.
The High Court is expected to examine whether the decision aligns with established electoral norms and safeguards. The plea effectively questions the rationale behind the selection criteria, suggesting that “restricting appointments to a specific category of employees raises serious concerns about neutrality.”

The case adds to a series of election-related challenges currently before the court, reflecting heightened scrutiny of administrative decisions during the West Bengal polls.

The hearing is likely to determine whether any intervention is required before the counting process begins.