294 counting observers, three-tier security for Bengal vote count

Kolkata: As many as 294 counting observers will be deployed in West Bengal next week for the vote count of the state assembly polls on May 19, an Election Commission official said here on Friday.

"There will be one counting observer in each constituency. They will arrive on May 17. They will inspect counting venues in each district. There will be 90 counting centres and 394 counting halls across the state," said chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta after a review meeting with district magistrates on preparedness ahead of counting.

As for security, Gupta said a three-tier arrangement will be ensured in each venue.

"In the first tier (outermost), district police is deployed. In the second one, armed police while the third one which is right outside the counting hall, will be manned by central armed police personnel," he said.