The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday said that the Returning Officer (RO) appointed by the poll panel is the final authority under the law to decide on recounting in Nandigram constituency.
In a statement ECI said, “ Certain sections of media have reported about the matter of recounting in Nandigram AC. Returning Officer (RO) of an Assembly Constituency performs statutory functions under the RP Act, 1951 in quasi-judicial capacity independently. Whether it is nomination, polling or counting, the RO acts strictly in accordance with the extant electoral laws, instructions and guidelines of the ECI.”
As far as the media reporting on ‘recount’ concerning Nandigram AC is concerned, as per Rule 63 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which lays down the process of dealing with recount request,it,inter alia, states,
On such an application being made the returning officer shall decide the matter and may allow the application in whole or in part or may reject it too if it appears to be frivolous or unreasonable.
