The Supreme Court of India began hearings on a petition from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) challenging a Calcutta High Court ruling that permitted the deployment of central government staff at vote-counting centres in West Bengal for the upcoming elections on May 4. The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, argues that this decision marginalizes state government officials and raises fairness concerns in the electoral process. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the TMC, presented four main objections to the court, including the late notice issued to District Election Officers (DEOs) regarding the deployment, which was only communicated on April 13 but was not known to the TMC until April 29. This limited their ability to respond adequately. Sibal also questioned the authorities' basis for fearing disturbances at counting booths, calling their apprehension 'shocking'. The case underscores the ongoing tensions between state and central government roles in the electoral process in India.