The Supreme Court has asked all states and union territories to consider deputing additional staff to help Booth Level Officers (BLOs) facing heavy workloads during the ongoing special revision of electoral rolls, after a plea highlighted the extreme pressures these officers face—many of whom are school teachers and Anganwadi workers.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing an application filed by Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party founded by actor Vijay. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the party, said numerous BLOs had died due to unsustainable work pressure created by time-bound targets imposed by Election Commission officials.
He added that, in some cases, FIRs were being lodged against BLOs for alleged failure to comply with deadlines under the Representation of the People Act, creating fear among workers engaged in the process.
Taking note of these concerns, the bench said state governments should take steps so that the pressure on BLOs can be reduced. “In case they are facing hardships, including they being overburdened with their routine duties as well as the additional duties assigned by the Election Commission, the state government can obviate such hardships,” the order stated.
The court further said state governments may assess the “desirability of deputing additional staff at the disposal of the EC so that the working hours can be proportionately reduced.”
However, the bench clarified that the direction should not be misunderstood as permission to withdraw employees already assigned to the special revision exercise without providing substitutes. If any worker has a “specific reason” for seeking exemption, the competent officer may evaluate such requests individually and arrange for replacements, the court said.
States and union territories where the special revision of electoral rolls is underway “shall be obligated to deploy the requisite workforce at the disposal of the EC,” the bench added, with the liberty to increase staff strength as needed.
TVK’s plea sought that the Election Commission be restrained from taking coercive action under the Representation of the People Act against BLOs unable to meet stringent deadlines due to excessive workload. The matter continues to be under consideration.
