ECI deploys 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers in West Bengal
The Election Commission of India on 2 May 2026 deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers for vote counting in the West Bengal Assembly election, using its powers under Article 324 and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers for counting of votes in the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, it announced on 2 May 2026. The Additional Counting Observers will assist Counting Observers in the 165 Assembly constituencies that have more than one counting hall, while the Police Observers will oversee security around counting centres but cannot enter a counting hall on counting day under any circumstance. The appointments were made under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the observers are deemed to be on deputation to the Commission.
Key facts
- Additional Counting Observers
- 165 (ACs with more than one counting hall)
- Police Observers
- 77; cannot enter counting hall
- Legal basis
- Article 324; Section 20B, RP Act 1951
- Election
- West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2026
- Status
- Observers deemed on deputation to ECI
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many Police Observers did the Election Commission deploy around counting centres for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election?
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Correct answer: C — 77
ECI deployed 77 Police Observers along with 165 Additional Counting Observers.
Consider the following statements about the observers deployed by ECI in West Bengal in May 2026: 1. They were appointed under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. Police Observers may enter the counting hall on counting day to supervise counting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The appointments were made under Article 324 and Section 20B of the RP Act, 1951; Police Observers shall not enter the counting hall under any circumstance.