SC Asks States to Provide More Staff to EC for SIR Duty to Ease Pressure on BLOs

NEW DELHI: Taking note of a plea alleging extreme work pressure faced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the time-bound Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed States to consider deputing additional staff to ease their workload and reduce hardships.

The court was hearing an application filed by actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) not to initiate coercive action under the Representation of the People Act against BLOs for failing to complete duties within strict timelines. The plea also pointed out that several BLOs had died by suicide due to work pressure.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the concerns raised by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who submitted that many BLOs, often teachers or anganwadi workers, were being subjected to extreme pressure by EC officials.

Sankaranarayanan further said that FIRs were being filed against BLOs who were unable to complete their duties according to the timelines prescribed by the EC.

Directing States to consider deploying additional personnel, the CJI observed, “If they are facing hardships, including being overburdened with routine duties and the additional responsibilities assigned by the Election Commission, the State government can obviate such hardships.”

In its order, the Supreme Court said States may consider the “desirability of deputing additional staff at the disposal of the EC, so that the working hours can be proportionately reduced.”

The court also said that if any employee has a specific reason for seeking exemption from SIR duty, the competent authority may consider such requests on a case-to-case basis and replace that employee with another.

However, it clarified that this should not be interpreted as permission for States to withdraw employees already assigned to SIR duties without providing substitutes.

The Bench further directed that States where the SIR exercise is underway must deploy the requisite workforce at the EC’s disposal, while retaining the flexibility to increase staff strength as needed.

The court disposed of the plea, noting that other requests, including ex gratia compensation for BLOs who died during SIR duties, may be revived later by the petitioner or affected individuals through a fresh application.

Sankaranarayanan informed the court that FIRs under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, which deals with breach of official duty related to electoral rolls, had been filed against BLOs. The provision makes such violations punishable with imprisonment and fines.

He argued that BLOs were struggling to meet deadlines due to inadequate staffing, internet-related issues, and the burden of performing SIR duties early morning or late at night in addition to their regular jobs. He cited a case where a young BLO who was denied leave for his wedding was suspended and later died by suicide. “At least show the human side. Criminal action is harsh,” he urged.

The CJI responded that States could consider exemptions on a case-by-case basis and arrange replacements.

When Sankaranarayanan questioned why the EC was registering FIRs, the CJI noted, “This is not for the first time; earlier also they have been registering them.”

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said the pressure on BLOs was a “harsh reality.”

The CJI, referring to Uttar Pradesh, noted that even though the State’s elections are due in 2027, BLOs were being asked to complete the exercise in a strictly time-bound manner.

The court also observed that no State had approached it expressing difficulty in carrying out the SIR exercise.

Senior Advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and Maninder Singh, appearing for the EC, told the court that more than 90 per cent of enumeration forms had already been supplied in Tamil Nadu. Dwivedi added that the EC resorted to criminal proceedings only when BLOs showed reluctance to perform duties, alleging that such arguments were being used to “create a political narrative.”

On November 30, the EC extended the schedule for the ongoing SIR exercise in nine States and three Union Territories by a week, following complaints from Opposition parties that the tight timelines were creating difficulties for voters and ground-level staff.

The SIR drive, announced on October 27, aims to update the voter list for nearly 51 crore electors.