Supreme Court has asked states to deploy more staff to ease workload on BLOs after a plea claimed extreme poll-related pressure had led to suicides. Actor Vijay’s TVK party sought protection for BLOs from coercive action as many are teachers or anganwadi workers facing severe strain
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) under the banner of ‘BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee’ stage a protest over alleged excessive workload during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, outside Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office, in Kolkata on Monday. Pic/PTI
Taking note of a plea alleging extreme work pressure faced by the booth level officers (BLOs) engaged in the time-bound special revision of the electoral rolls, the Supreme Court directed the states on Thursday to consider deputing additional employees for reducing their working hours.
The court was hearing an application filed by actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) not to take coercive actions under the Representation of the People (RP) Act against the BLOs for not performing the duty in a time-bound manner and pointing out that many of them have committed suicide due to the work pressure.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions made by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who appeared in the matter for the TVK, that some instructions are needed to be issued as many BLOs, who are either teachers or anganwadi workers, have died due to the extreme pressure exerted on them by EC officials.
UP vows support as BLO death heat rises
Uttar Pradesh DCM Brajesh Pathak said the Election Commission is examining the recent deaths of booth level officers (BLOs) reported during the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise and assured that the state government will extend support to the affected families. UP has witnessed multiple cases of suicides and deaths of BLOs and other officials involved in the SIR amid claims of overwork, stress and harassment.
Responding to questions on allegations of mental harassment of BLOs, Pathak said, “The EC is working on it, and the government stands with the victims. If there is any specific complaint (of harassment), it will be investigated, and strict action will also be taken.”
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