Bengal to get 55 more observers to monitor vote count

A total of 55 additional general observers will be present in West Bengal to supervise the counting of votes May 16, while the state is likely to get 17 more special observers to monitor the final phase of the Lok Sabha polls May 12.

An Election Commission official said here that apart from the 43 general observers, 55 more will maintain vigil across the 48 counting venues in the state.

"There will be 48 counting venues and 69 counting centres. A total of 98 general observers will be present, including 55 additional observers," assistant chief electoral officer Amitjyoti Bhattacharya told reporters.

According to the Election Commission's special observer for the state Sudhir Kumar Rakesh, the initiative to get 17 additional special observers was a confidence building measure for the electorate as well as for the candidates and political parties.

"This is a confidence building measure. We have requested the commission and it will confirm the status soon," Rakesh told media persons here.

A total of 17 constituencies will vote May 12. Over 2.55 crore electors will choose from 188 candidates in the fray.

Rakesh also stressed the documentation of flag marches and area domination activities of the commission for the final phase, which has already begun.

The polling day has been designated as a paid holiday for the 17 seats.