By Admin 
West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: After the end of the assembly elections in West Bengal and before the vote counting, there is an uproar over allegations of tampering in the strong room and electronic voting machine (EVM). Meanwhile, in a major step, the Election Commission on Saturday (May 2, 2026) has appointed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers in West Bengal.
In this regard, the Election Commission has officially issued a statement on Saturday (May 2, 2026), in which the Commission has said that in order to further strengthen the security and monitoring of law and order around the counting centers for the ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal, 2026, 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers have been appointed.
Appointments made to make vote counting peaceful and transparent: Commission
The Election Commission said that all these additional counting observers and police observers have been appointed so that they can assist the counting observers deployed in all 165 constituencies and ensure that the vote counting process is conducted in a safe, peaceful, fear-free and transparent manner. The Commission said that these appointments have been made on the basis of the powers given to the Election Commission under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. During this appointment, all observers will remain under the Commission and will work under the control and leadership of the Commission.
Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers to assist Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers to strengthen security and oversee law & order arrangements around Counting Centers for the ongoing General Election to the Legislative Assembly… pic.twitter.com/lJASM0XxGJ
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2026
Election Commission gave strict instructions for observers
The Election Commission said in its official statement that in 165 assembly constituencies of West Bengal where there is more than one counting hall, additional counting observers have been appointed to assist the counting observers. Apart from this, police observers have been given the responsibility of maintaining security and law and order around the counting centres, so that no incident of any kind takes place near the counting centers and the counting process can be conducted as per the guidelines given by the Election Commission.
Election Commission’s strict protocol before counting
The Election Commission has also made it clear in its statement that the police observers deployed at the counting centers will not, under any circumstances, go into the counting hall on the day and during the counting of votes. Police observers will work closely with counting observers and other deployed electoral machinery during the vote counting process.
Apart from this, the counting officers will issue a QR code based photo identity card (ID card) to the counting staff, candidates and their agents under a certain module of ECINET, through which they will be able to enter the counting centres. The Commission also said that apart from the counting observers and returning officers, no person will be allowed to carry mobile phones inside the counting hall.
Also read: Supreme Court gave a blow to TMC, refused to interfere in the matter of deployment of central employees for counting of votes.