SC Says BLOs Must Perform SIR Duties, Directs States To Address Difficulties

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deputed by the state governments and the state's Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) must perform statutory duties, including SIR, as mandated by law.

While hearing the petition on the hardship faced by the BLOs in the SIR duties, a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymala also directed the state government to address the difficulties faced by the BLOs and take necessary steps accordingly.

The top Court said that the governments may deploy additional staff to support the BLOs, who are carrying out SIR duties for the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The Court noted that several BLOs, deputed for duties in SIR exercise, are struggling with heavy workloads as they have to balance their regular responsibilities with SIR duties.

The apex court bench added that if BLOs are overburdened, the governments may consider posting additional staff. It added that this would help reduce working hours and would, in turn, reduce the workload on officials.

The Court also observed that those employees, seeking exemption over specific reasons, may request relief from their respective authorities and that such requests must be decided on a case-by-case basis.

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However, the Court clarified that in such cases, the state cannot withdraw staff without providing substitutes, as they remain obligated to ensure adequate manpower for the election commission.

The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, also addressed a petition seeking ex gratia compensation for BLOs who died while performing SIR duties. On these petitions, the court added that such applications may be filed at a later stage.

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The hearing was based on a petition filed by TamilagaVetriKazhagam (TVK), a party of actor-turned-politician Vijay, which asked the apex court to halt coercive action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act.