The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the increasing pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the recent cases of suicide during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list being conducted by the Election Commission. In the hearing held on Thursday, the bench of Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi gave clear instructions to the state governments to deploy additional staff to ease the work of BLOs.
During the hearing on SIR in the Supreme Court, when the Election Commission (ECI) argued that a BLO has to fill only 1200 forms in a maximum of 30 days, hence it cannot be called ‘excessive pressure’. Then CJI Surya Kant immediately raised the question, ‘Are 10 forms a day’s burden?’
What did Kapil Sibal say to CJI?
To this, senior advocate Kapil Sibal quickly replied, ‘Sir, these are 40 forms. He said that 100 people live in a building, there is no lift, one has to climb every floor… it is hard work.
The lawyer appearing for the Election Commission said that even at the age of 70, he can climb the stairs and this entire issue is being made an ‘unnecessary political debate’. On this, the court commented that if BLOs are facing problems then it is the responsibility of the states to provide additional employees.
What is the instruction of the Supreme Court on SIR?
The Court said that the employees assigned to the Election Commission by the State Governments and State Election Commissions are bound to discharge their statutory duties, but if the pressure on them is high, then the States will have to provide support staff.
What did CJI Surya Kant say on SIR in Bihar?
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant, while referring to the results of SIR in Bihar, said that neither any infiltrator nor any fake voter was detected in the review. He said, ‘It is a matter of relief because we were also worried about foreigners and fake voters. SIR has removed these apprehensions.
While making a sensitive comment on the death of BLO, the court said that the reported suicide cases need to be considered seriously, and the states will have to immediately improve the conditions.
