India, May 3 -- Ahead of the counting of votes in West Bengal scheduled for Monday, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday deployed an additional 165 counting observers and 77 police observers in the State. While the additional counting observers will assist the 294 such observers already deployed per constituency, the additional police observers will strengthen security and oversee law and order arrangements outside the counting centres, the poll body said.

Officials said that while police observers are generally not deployed during vote counting, in this case, they will not be allowed to enter the counting centres, and will manage law and order outside only. During this period, the Observers shall be deemed to be on deputation to the...