Two petitions filed in Calcutta HC over vote counting process; urgent hearing likely today

Just days before vote counting in the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, two separate petitions challenging aspects of the counting process have been filed in the Calcutta High Court, bringing fresh legal scrutiny to the Election Commission’s arrangements. The hearing in both matters is likely to take place on Thursday afternoon before Justice Krishna Rao, ahead of the scheduled counting on May 4.

One of the petitions has been filed by Trinamool Congress MP and advocate Kalyan Banerjee, who has questioned the Election Commission’s decision to appoint only central government employees as supervisors at counting centres. He has argued that the Commission does not have the authority to implement such a decision and has sought judicial intervention, presenting multiple legal grounds against the move.

The second petition, filed by advocate Biswarup Bhattacharya, challenges the Commission’s decision to alter the locations of counting centres. The plea raises concerns over the timing and rationale behind these changes, particularly at a stage when the election process has already concluded and preparations for counting are underway.

The developments come after two phases of polling held on April 23 and April 29 concluded largely peacefully, with the results sealed in electronic voting machines. However, the focus has now shifted to the counting process, with opposition raised over administrative decisions taken by the Commission.

A key point of contention has also been the reduction in the number of counting centres. For the 294 Assembly seats, counting will be conducted at 87 centres, compared to 108 in the previous election. The issue has already drawn criticism and now awaits judicial examination, with the High Court’s decision expected to have a bearing on the conduct of the counting process.