Supreme Court's Ruling on Vote Counting Sparks Reactions from BJP and TMC

The Supreme Court's recent ruling on the Election Commission's circular regarding the deployment of central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal has elicited mixed reactions from the BJP and TMC. While the BJP views the decision as a setback for the TMC, the latter claims it validates their concerns about the counting process. The court emphasized the need for a balanced approach in appointing counting supervisors, ensuring both state and central government employees are involved. With the counting of votes scheduled for May 4, the implications of this ruling are significant for the upcoming assembly elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 15:05 IST

Supreme Court's Decision on Election Commission Circular

Kolkata: Both the BJP and TMC expressed their views on the Supreme Court's recent directives regarding the Election Commission's circular about the involvement of central government personnel in the vote counting process in West Bengal.

On Saturday, the Supreme Court indicated that no additional orders were required concerning the TMC's challenge against the Calcutta High Court's dismissal of its petition related to the circular issued on April 13.

BJP leader Amit Malviya took to social media to comment on the Supreme Court's decision, stating that the court's refusal to intervene represents another legal setback for the TMC. The party had sought an urgent hearing to contest the exclusion of state government employees from the role of vote-counting supervisors.

Malviya emphasized that this decision sends a strong message that attempts to undermine the integrity of the counting process will not be easily validated, marking yet another judicial setback for Mamata Banerjee.

Conversely, the TMC argued that the Supreme Court's ruling validated its position.

The party noted that the Supreme Court addressed concerns regarding the implementation of the communication, which had led to the appointment of only Central Government and PSU employees as Counting Supervisors and Assistants.

The TMC asserted that such an interpretation contradicts the principles of a fair and balanced counting process.

After considering the arguments, the Supreme Court instructed that Clause 1 of the April 13 communication regarding the appointment of Counting Supervisors and Assistants should be interpreted alongside the key features outlined on the second page of the communication, which allows for a random selection of both State and Central Government employees.

The court also acknowledged the commitment made by Mr. Dama Seshadri Naidu, Senior Advocate for the Election Commission of India, to adhere to the communication's directives in both letter and spirit.

The TMC expressed optimism that the vote counting would proceed in a fair, transparent, and balanced manner following the Supreme Court's guidance.

A special bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi stated that the Election Commission has the authority to select counting personnel, affirming that the April 13 circular, which includes state government employees, is valid.

The Election Commission reassured the court that the circular would be implemented as intended, ensuring the presence of state government employees during the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

Voting for the 294-member West Bengal assembly took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes set for May 4.

On April 30, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the TMC's petition against the Election Commission's circular, ruling that there was no illegality in the decision to appoint counting supervisors and assistants from Central government and PSU employees instead of state staff.