Introduction
In a major intervention aimed at protecting overburdened Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across India, the Supreme Court of India on December 4, 2025, issued a set of directions to improve working conditions for those engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, responded to concerns about excessive workload, mental distress, and even reported suicides of personnel engaged in SIR duties.
These directions came during a hearing on petitions filed by political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which highlighted the growing distress among BLOs and the alleged coercive actions taken against them, including criminal cases and threats of imprisonment under *Section 32 of the Representation of People Act (ROPA).
Background: What Triggered the Supreme Court’s Intervention?
BLOs play a crucial administrative role during electoral roll revisions. However, reports from multiple States—including Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and West Bengal—brought attention to unbearable workloads, long working hours, denial of leave, and threats of criminal action for unmet deadlines.
TVK documented heartbreaking instances, including:
- 35–40 BLOs allegedly committing suicide citing work pressure.
- Many of these were Anganwadi workers and school teachers, managing SIR duties alongside primary employment.
- An incident where a young BLO was allegedly denied leave to attend his own wedding and later died by suicide.
- Over 50 FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh against BLOs for failing to meet SIR deadlines.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for TVK, argued that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was imposing unreasonable pressure and even “taking pride” in coercive measures against BLOs.
In response, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing ECI, opposed the application, calling the grievances exaggerated.
Supreme Court’s Observations: Protecting Human Dignity in Election Work
The Supreme Court took a balanced approach, clarifying that while BLOs must carry out statutory duties, the State governments cannot ignore their hardships. The Bench emphasized:
- Electoral duties cannot come at the cost of human life, mental health, or dignity.
- States have a responsibility to ensure adequate staffing so that the burden on individuals is reasonable.
- Exemptions must be handled sensitively, considering real-life pressures like health issues or family responsibilities.
The Court remarked:
“Employees deputed for SIR duties face hardship. The State government can and must eliminate such difficulties where possible.”
This is a strong signal that election-related administrative work should not translate into exploitation or threats under criminal law.
Supreme Court Issues Three Key Directions to States
The Supreme Court’s order laid down specific, actionable steps for State governments:
1. Deploy Additional Staff for SIR Duties
The Court directed States to immediately increase manpower for SIR work to ensure that:
- BLOs’ working hours are reduced.
- The workload is rational and humane.
- No single officer is overburdened due to staff shortages.
This is particularly significant because SIR involves time-intensive field verification, door-to-door surveys, document checks, verification of new voter applications, and deletion of outdated entries.
2. Consider Exemption Requests on Case-to-Case Basis
If a BLO or staff member requests exemption due to:
- medical conditions,
- family emergencies,
- health issues, or
- other pressing individual circumstances,
the State must review such cases individually and replace the person without penalizing them.
This protects BLOs from rigid enforcement and potential harassment.
3. Individuals Not Covered May Approach Court
The Court clarified that if an employee has a grievance not addressed in the directions, they are free to approach the court. This ensures continued judicial oversight and protection for vulnerable workers.
Court Reiterates State Responsibility in Election Work
A crucial part of the judgment is the clarification that:
- BLOs are appointed and deputed by State Election Commissions (SEC).
- They are then placed at the disposal of the ECI for electoral work.
- Therefore, the State government is directly responsible for providing adequate staff and preventing hardships caused by manpower shortages.
This resolves confusion over the chain of accountability—often a grey area in election-related disputes.
The Human Side of Electoral Work: Court Responds to Tragic Reports
One of the most powerful parts of the hearing came when TVK highlighted that SIR workload has been linked to dozens of suicides across States.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan read out instances of:
- BLOs threatened with arrest for not completing work on time.
- Teachers and Anganwadi workers struggling to balance regular duties and SIR deadlines.
- FIRs filed against BLOs, creating a climate of fear.
The Supreme Court noted these concerns with seriousness, underlining that statutory duties cannot justify actions that break individuals physically or psychologically.
Impact of the Supreme Court Order on SIR and BLOs Nationwide
The directions have wide-ranging implications:
1. Reduced Workload and Better Staffing
States will now need to allocate:
- Additional clerks
- Contractual staff
- Local administrative support
to assist BLOs and reduce their burden.
2. Immediate Relief for Overworked Teachers and Anganwadi Workers
Many BLOs come from these professions and struggle with dual workloads. The order protects them from exploitation.
3. Strong Message Against Misuse of Criminal Proceedings
With 50+ FIRs reported in UP alone, the Court’s stance discourages coercive measures.
4. Improved Accountability of State Governments
States cannot blame the ECI for workload issues. They must take proactive measures.
5. Judicial Oversight Over SIR Process
As multiple States have ongoing petitions challenging SIR, the directions ensure BLO welfare stays central.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s December 2025 judgment is a landmark reminder that the machinery of democracy cannot run by overburdening its workers. By directing States to deploy additional staff, reduce working hours, and respect exemption requests, the Court has prioritized human dignity, mental well-being, and fair administrative practices.
As electoral roll revision continues across States, this order will significantly improve working conditions for thousands of BLOs—many of whom are grassroots workers forming the backbone of India’s election system.
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