Kolkata, May 2: The Election Commission on Saturday deployed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers in West Bengal to ensure secure and transparent counting of votes for the Assembly elections, an official said.

"Additional counting observers have been deployed in assembly constituencies having more than one counting hall," the EC official said, adding that police observers will oversee law and order arrangements around counting centres.

According to the commission, the police observers will ensure that security protocols are strictly followed, but "shall not enter the counting hall on the day of counting under any circumstance".