The Election Commission on Tuesday said the Returning Officer (RO) is the "final authority under the law" in the matter of recounting in the Nandigram assembly constituency.

"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," reads an EC release.