On Saturday, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the Election Commission (EC) has the authority to determine the personnel involved in counting votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections. This decision came in response to a plea from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which challenged an April 13 circular permitting the deployment of central government personnel alongside state employees. The court, led by Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi, stated that the EC's circular is valid and allows for a mix of central and state government employees during the counting process. The TMC's apprehensions about potential irregularities were dismissed as unfounded by the court, which noted that the EC would implement the circular in its entirety. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, following polling held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The Calcutta High Court had previously dismissed the TMC's petition, affirming that the EC's decision to appoint central personnel does not violate any laws.