Vanity drain assembly installation method?

I just purchased a new vanity and sink combo and bought a chrome steel pop up drain assembly to go with it.

Do I need plumber's putty under the drain flange of the pop up in the sink?

The reason I ask is that under the flange of the pop-up is a cutout in the drain pipe, and there is an area under the sink bowl where the overflow hole comes in. Below that, the drain pipe is clamped to the bottom of the sink with a rubber washer and the locknut. Also the hole in the sink doesn't mate well with the pop-up flange, unlike a kitchen sink strainer.

It seems like because the area below the pop-up drains water as well, that the flange is not intended to have putty. Am I correct?

Unless the manufactuer of the sink specifically says not to use putty, I would use putty.

(But, I am just a 50 some year housewife, who loves to give advice.

It uses putty under the flange; some people use the stopper to fill the bowl. If the flange is not sealed, then the water will leak out.
If the bowl is marble, you will want to use Silicone. Plumbers Putty has oil in it that will affect marble.