'Obligated to provide': Supreme Court tells states to deploy more staff for SIR; TVK plea flags BLO plight

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of concerns over the workload of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Amid reports alleging excessive pressure and even suicides, the top court directed state governments to deploy additional staff to reduce the working hours of those already assigned election duties.A bench headed by CJI Surya Kant said that any individual seeking exemption from statutory election duties for valid reasons must have their request considered on a case-by-case basis by the competent authority and the State government, with a replacement arranged if needed.Also read | SIR burden turns fatal: After 8 deaths in 10 days, UP headmaster’s heart attack raises stress alarm “The State government is obligated to provide the workforce if there is a need to increase the same,” the CJI observed.Also read | 'Want to live, but what can I do?': UP BLO dies by suicide, another of heart attack amid ‘SIR stress’The directions were issued in response to a plea filed by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which challenged the Election Commission of India’s move to invoke criminal action under Section 32 of the Representation of Peoples’ Act against individuals unable to perform their duties as BLOs due to heavy workloads, target pressures, and personal hardships.Reports of BLO deaths and suicide attempts have surfaced across states, turning it into a widespread concern and prompting strong protests and demands for action from Opposition parties.