SC Backs EC Over Counting Rules; WB Repolling Underway

Kolkata : In a significant judicial intervention ahead of the May 4 results, the Supreme Court of India has disposed of the Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) plea challenging the Election Commission's (ECI) protocol for counting supervisors.

The TMC had contested a Calcutta High Court order that upheld the ECI’s directive to deploy only central forces and PSU employees as counting supervisors.  A two-judge bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi noted that the EC’s circular—which mandates a mix of central and state personnel to ensure neutrality—cannot be deemed incorrect.

The court instructed the poll body to follow its April 13 guidelines "in letter and spirit" to maintain transparency.  Repolling in South 24 ParganasSimultaneously, repolling is currently underway at 15 polling booths in the South 24 Parganas district. The ECI ordered fresh voting following allegations of EVM tampering and booth jamming during the second phase on April 29.  

Magrahat Paschim: 11 booths.  Diamond Harbour: 4 booths (a key stronghold of TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee).  Initial reports suggest a steady turnout, with Magrahat Paschim recording approximately 16.68% and Diamond Harbour 15.83% by 9:00 AM on Saturday.  

National Outlook: Exit Poll ProjectionsAs the nation awaits the final count, exit polls have painted a mixed picture across the five states/UTs:West Bengal: A fierce battle where most pollsters give an edge to the BJP, though Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remains confident of a fourth term.  Tamil Nadu: Projections favor the DMK-led alliance, with actor Vijay’s TVK expected to be a potential dark horse.  Kerala: A possible shift back to the UDF after a decade.  Assam & Puducherry: Strong indications of an NDA victory. (etv)