Calcutta HC allows appointment of college professors as presiding officers, stays single bench order

In a significant ruling related to the West Bengal Assembly elections, the division bench of the Calcutta High Court has allowed the deployment of assistant professors from state colleges as presiding officers for polling duties. The bench comprising Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta stayed the earlier order passed by a single bench that had restrained such appointments. The court upheld the Election Commission’s decision to proceed with the deployment.

The case arose after a section of assistant professors challenged their appointment as presiding officers, arguing that such election duties were not appropriate for their professional role. The single bench had earlier questioned the Election Commission’s justification for assigning teaching staff to electoral responsibilities and had stayed the notification. However, the Election Commission challenged this order before the division bench.

During the hearing, the division bench observed that presiding officers play a crucial role in the conduct of elections and that national interest requires participation from all eligible government personnel. The court noted that assistant professors, being government employees, can be assigned such responsibilities when required. It further emphasised that safeguarding the democratic process is a collective responsibility of citizens.

With the latest ruling, the Election Commission’s decision to appoint college and university assistant professors as presiding officers now stands restored. The earlier restriction imposed by the single bench has been suspended, clearing the way for trained academic staff to continue their election duties. Many of these officials had already undergone training sessions conducted by the Commission.