Calcutta High Court Intervenes in TMC's Election Observer Complaint

The Calcutta High Court urged the Election Commission to resolve TMC's complaint about a police observer meeting a BJP candidate during assembly polls in South 24 Parganas. The observer's meeting, held at a government lodge, is questioned by TMC as unofficial. The EC defends the observer's actions as official.

The Calcutta High Court has requested that the Election Commission address a complaint by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) regarding a police observer's conduct during assembly elections in South 24 Parganas district. The TMC alleges the observer met a BJP candidate in violation of election norms.

According to the TMC, the observer held a private and unofficial meeting with a BJP candidate at a government-owned tourist lodge in Diamond Harbour, demanding the officer's removal from duties in four constituencies. The Election Commission clarified that the meeting was official, taking place at a designated conference room.

Justice Krishna Rao has asked the Election Commission to handle the TMC's complaint and inform the petitioner of the decision. Senior advocate D S Naidu, representing the Election Commission, stated the observer's role is to interact with the public and candidates to gather information for the commission, dismissing the allegations of impropriety.