The Supreme Court has mandated all states to provide robust security for booth-level officers during voter enumeration, warning of severe action against any threats or obstructions. The court emphasized that non-cooperation with the Election Commission’s work is a serious matter, extending beyond West Bengal to all states, and stressed the need for BLOs’ safety to prevent anarchy.
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Tuesday asked all states to provide adequate security to booth-level officers engaged in special intensive revision, and warned that it would seriously view any instance of BLOs being threatened or impediments being placed in their work.The observations were made by a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi after senior advocate V Giri, appearing for NGO Sanatani Sangsad, demanded security for BLOs, alleging that they were being intimidated and threatened during voter enumeration work in West Bengal. EC, through senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, said the commission had written a strong letter to WB govt on security of BLOs and assured the court that it had adequate powers under the Constitution to handle the situation. Dwivedi said such situations were arising because EC had no control over state police. The petitioner sought deployment of paramilitary forces in WB for safety and security of BLOs.Giving a pan-India dimension to the issue raised in the petition, the bench said, “If EC had any grievance about non-cooperation from state officials or police regarding safety and security of BLOs, it should approach the SC. We will pass appropriate orders. It is not only about West Bengal but for all states. Non-cooperation with EC work is a serious issue. BLOs must get full security.”While seeking a response from the Centre and EC, the bench asked the poll panel to assess the situation in all states and move SC for appropriate directives, if needed. “We will take strong action to protect BLOs. Their safety and security must be ensured, otherwise there will be anarchy,” the CJI-led bench said and referred to its Dec-4 order directing states to allow BLOs who are stressed or face health issues to withdraw from SIR work and provide adequate replacements.When Dwivedi and senior advocate Maninder Singh said problems were arising in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal because their state govts had made public their opposition to SIR, the bench said BLOs unwilling to carry out SIR work would have to file an application before the district electoral officer, who would inform the state.During the proceedings, Justice Bagchi questioned the material submitted by Sanatani Sangsad to allege intimidation of BLOs in West Bengal. “Apart from a solitary FIR, there is no other credible evidence to substantiate the allegations. Based on a solitary incident, can it be said that it is done only in West Bengal and not in other states? Is it not a narrative from one side? Should police in all states be put under EC?” he asked. EC said there had been certain incidents in West Bengal that saw electoral officers being gheraoed and threatened by the public. “A lot of narratives are being floated by political parties. At present, a BLO is to do enumeration of a maximum of 1,200 voters in 37 days, which is roughly 35 per day. Is it too much work?” the poll panel said.Justice Bagchi said, “This is not a desk job where the quota of 35 is met easily. A BLO must go from house to house, verify enumeration forms and then upload it. There could be stress and physical strain. We want to ensure that SIR at ground level is done without a hitch.” EC said the narrative of BLOs being under stress was being spread by political parties. The CJI said that was why the court had directed states on Dec 4 to augment the workforce.
