Returning officer is the final authority: Election Commission on matter of recounting in Nandigram Returning officer is the final authority: Election Commission on matter of recounting in Nandigram The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday took cognisance of media reports on recounting at the Nandigram assembly constituency in West Bengal and said that the Returning Officer (RO) appointed by the poll panel is the final authority under the law to decide on such matter. "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," the statement read.