Election Commission Deploys 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers on 2 May 2026 for West Bengal Assembly Election Counting Centres Under Article 324 and the Representation of the People Act
The Election Commission deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers on 2 May 2026 for West Bengal Assembly election counting centres. Acting under Article 324 and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, it framed the deployment as a safeguard for secure, peaceful and transparent counting. The order also covered QR-based entry, mobile-phone restrictions and Form 17C-II cross-verification.
pib.gov.in
Key Points for RAS
- The Election Commission deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers for West Bengal Assembly election counting centres.
- The deployment was meant to ensure secure, peaceful, intimidation-free and transparent counting.
- The appointments were made under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Additional Counting Observers were assigned to 165 Assembly constituencies with more than one counting hall.
- Police Observers will oversee security and law-and-order arrangements around counting centres but cannot enter counting halls on counting day.
- Entry will depend on QR-code-based photo identity cards, and mobile phones are barred except for the Counting Observer and Returning Officer.
- Form 17C-II and Micro-Observer notes from Control Unit displays will be used for cross-verification after each counting round.
The Election Commission of India announced on 2 May 2026 that it had deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026. Additional Counting Observers will assist existing observers, while Police Observers will oversee security and law and order around counting centres. The Commission said the deployment was meant to keep counting secure, peaceful, intimidation-free, transparent. The appointments were made under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, placing the observers on deputation to the Commission and under its control. Additional Counting Observers have been assigned to 165 Assembly constituencies where more than one counting hall is being used. Police Observers will check whether security around assigned centres follows Commission instructions, coordinate with Counting Observers and election machinery, and oversee arrangements outside the halls. They are not allowed to enter the counting hall on counting day. The Commission also specified procedural safeguards. Returning Officers will issue identity cards for counting personnel, candidates and their agents through a dedicated ECINet module. Entry to counting centres will be strictly based on the QR-code-based photo identity card issued by the Returning Officer. No person except the Counting Observer and Returning Officer may carry a mobile phone inside the counting hall. Form 17C-II, recording results from Control Units, will be prepared by Counting Supervisors in the presence of Counting Agents and shared with them for signatures. Micro-Observers at each table will independently note the Control Unit display and give it to the Counting Observer after every round for cross-verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 How many observers did the Election Commission deploy?
It deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers for West Bengal Assembly election counting centres.
2 What legal authority did the Commission cite?
The appointments were made under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
3 Can Police Observers enter the counting hall on counting day?
No. They will oversee security around counting centres but cannot enter the counting hall under any circumstance on counting day.
4 What safeguards apply to counting-centre entry and results cross-checking?
Entry will be based on QR-code photo identity cards, while Form 17C-II and Micro-Observer notes will support cross-verification of Control Unit results.
Syllabus Topics
Subjects