India’s ruling Trinamool Congress has approached the Supreme Court of India ahead of vote counting for West Bengal’s 294 विधानसभा seats, challenging a directive on staffing at counting centres.

The party, led by Mamata Banerjee, is contesting a decision requiring that at least one official at each counting table be a central government or public sector employee.

TMC argues the state’s additional chief electoral officer does not have the authority to issue such an order, saying only the Election Commission of India can make that determination.

The move comes after the Calcutta High Court dismissed the party’s plea on April 30. A Supreme Court bench is set to hear the matter in a special sitting on Saturday, just days before counting begins on May 4.