Kolkata High Court Bars Election Commission from Deploying College Professors as Poll Staff

The Calcutta High Court stepped in on Wednesday, issuing a clear directive to the Election Commission of India (ECI) that it should not enlist college professors for upcoming poll duties in West Bengal. The bench, led by Justice Richa Kundu, said the move came after a petition raised concerns that pulling faculty members away from classrooms would disrupt the academic calendar.

According to the petitioners, many colleges were already grappling with staff shortages, and the sudden diversion of teachers to election duties would exacerbate the problem, potentially affecting students’ preparation for final exams. The court highlighted that while the EC is under pressure to ensure smooth polling, it must also respect the autonomy of educational institutions.

In response, the Election Commission argued that there is a chronic shortage of trained personnel to manage the massive logistical challenge of conducting free and fair elections. It pointed out that professors, with their organizational skills and credibility, are often preferred as presiding officers and polling officers.

Justice Kundu, however, reminded the commission that the Supreme Court’s earlier rulings stress a balance between civic duties and the uninterrupted functioning of educational establishments. She suggested that the EC explore alternative pools of volunteers, such as retired civil servants or local community members, before tapping into the teaching fraternity.

The ruling does not entirely bar professors from participating; rather, it emphasizes that any such appointment must be voluntary and should not clash with their primary teaching responsibilities. The EC has been asked to submit a compliance report within two weeks.

This development arrives just weeks before West Bengal’s state elections, a period traditionally marked by intense manpower mobilization. Observers say the court’s intervention could set a precedent for other states facing similar dilemmas between election staffing and academic continuity.