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Calcutta HC Allows ECI to Appoint Bengal College Professors as Presiding Officers
The Calcutta High Court division bench on April 21, 2026 allowed the Election Commission of India to post assistant and associate professors from government colleges as presiding officers for Bengal's two-phase assembly polls on April 23 and 29. It stayed the April 17 ruling by a single bench, ruling that such postings can be a constitutional duty, and ordered presiding-officer training to begin the next day after notices were issued to petitioners who did not report for training. The decision references a 2010 directive restricting such postings to exceptional circumstances and micro-observers.
Why It Matters
The ruling potentially expands who can serve as polling presiding officers, affecting election administration in Bengal and revisiting ECI's past directives on this role.
Timeline
6 Events
April 29, 2026: Second phase Bengal assembly polling
April 29, 2026
Second phase of Bengal assembly polls scheduled for April 29, 2026.
April 23, 2026: First phase Bengal assembly polling
April 23, 2026
First phase of Bengal assembly polls scheduled for April 23, 2026.
April 22, 2026: Training to begin for presiding officers
April 22, 2026
The bench directed the ECI to start presiding-officer training on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
April 21, 2026: Show-cause notices issued for not reporting to training
April 21, 2026
The division bench was informed that the ECI had served show-cause notices to petitioners who did not report for presiding-officer training.
April 21, 2026: Division bench stays April 17 ruling and allows presiding-officer postings
April 21, 2026
The Calcutta High Court division bench stayed the April 17 ruling and allowed the ECI to post assistant and associate professors from government colleges as presiding officers in polling booths for Bengal's two-phase polls, stating it is a constitutional duty.
April 17, 2026: Ruling by Justice Krishna Rao in ECI appeal
April 17, 2026
A ruling by a single bench of Justice Krishna Rao on an appeal filed by the ECI was issued (details not specified in the article).