NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed states and Union Territories to deploy additional staff to assist Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This decision comes in response to alarming reports of extreme work pressure faced by BLOs, including several tragic incidents of suicide linked to their workload.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued these orders after hearing a plea from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a political party led by actor Vijay. The party highlighted the distressing conditions under which BLOs operate, claiming that 35 to 40 BLOs have died by suicide due to overwhelming pressure. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing TVK, stated that many BLOs are Anganwadi workers and teachers who are forced to juggle their regular duties with SIR responsibilities, often receiving messages about targets late into the night.

The court emphasized that state governments must consider requests for exemptions from BLO duties on a case-by-case basis and ensure that replacements are provided. The Chief Justice remarked that while the Election Commission (EC) relies on state personnel for these duties, states cannot neglect their responsibility to support BLOs.

Sankaranarayanan also pointed out that some BLOs have faced criminal charges for not meeting deadlines, which has added to their stress. He mentioned a specific case where a young man committed suicide after being denied leave for his wedding. The court acknowledged the serious nature of these claims and stated that any employee facing genuine difficulties, such as illness or pregnancy, should be replaced by the state government.

The Supreme Court's ruling aims to alleviate the burden on BLOs and ensure that they are not subjected to undue pressure or threats of prosecution. The court also indicated that claims for compensation related to the deaths of BLOs could be addressed at a later stage. This decision is part of ongoing efforts to reform the electoral process and protect the welfare of those involved in it.