SC directs states to deploy more staff as BLOs face extreme pressure

In response to mounting concerns over extreme work pressure faced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed all states to consider deploying additional staff to assist the Election Commission (EC). The directive follows allegations that overwhelming workloads, coercive actions and FIRs have pushed several BLOsmany of whom are school teachers, anganwadi workers, panchayat employees, revenue department staff and other grassroots-level government personnel to mental distress, with some reported to have died by suicide.

The plea was filed by actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), seeking protection for BLOs from criminal proceedings under the Representation of the People (RP) Act for failing to meet the EC’s strict timelines. It was submitted that BLOs, who already shoulder full-time jobs in their respective departments, are unable to cope with the additional burden of SIR tasks that often require them to work early mornings and late nights amidst connectivity issues and vast field responsibilities.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that states must not ignore the difficulties faced by these officials. It was noted by the bench that hardships could be obviated by the deployment of additional staff, and that the working hours of BLOs could be proportionately reduced if more personnel are placed at the disposal of the Election Commission.

The court recorded submissions by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan that FIRs were being lodged against BLOs for delays, and that criminal action was being initiated even in cases where workers pleaded for exemption due to personal emergencies. One such instance involved a young BLO who was denied leave for his wedding, suspended, and later died by suicide, allegedly due to the stress.

The bench remarked that any employee with specific reasons for exemption should be considered by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis, with replacements arranged wherever possible. However, it was emphasised that the order should not be construed as permission for states to withdraw personnel without providing substitutes.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, also appearing in the matter, said the pressure on field officers is a harsh reality, pointing out that the timelines prescribed for voter-list revision often do not match the ground conditions. In states like Uttar Pradesh, the court noted, elections are still two years away, yet BLOs have been instructed to complete the revision at high speed.

Revenue staff, teachers, anganwadi workers, panchayat-level officials and clerical staff from multiple departments are currently functioning as BLOs. Many of them must conduct door-to-door verification, match documents, confirm voter eligibility, update deletions or additions, and submit data online tasks that become overwhelming due to limited manpower, lengthy areas of coverage, and the EC’s tightened schedule.

The pressure has been compounded by technical issues such as poor internet connectivity in rural regions. Workers often start field visits before their primary job hours and continue long after, effectively doubling their workload. Advocacy groups say the combination of punitive measures, impossible timelines and constant fear of FIRs has created a climate of distress, contributing to recent suicides.

Appearing for the EC, senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and Maninder Singh submitted that over 90% of enumeration forms had already been distributed in Tamil Nadu, and that criminal proceedings were initiated only when BLOs showed reluctance to perform duties. The EC also argued that such allegations are often used to construct a political narrative.

On November 30, the EC extended the SIR schedule by one week in nine states and three Union territories after widespread complaints with nearly 51 crore electors expected to be covered in the mammoth voter-roll cleanup exercise. The regions under revision include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Supreme Court disposed of the TVK plea but allowed petitioners and aggrieved families to revive their request for compensation to BLOs who died during SIR duties by filing a fresh application in the future.