Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam v. Election Commission of India - SIR - BLO Hardships - Directions issued

SIR - BLOs - The employees, who have been deployed by the State Governments/State Election Commission at the disposal of the Election Commission of India for the purpose of performing statutory duties, including for SIR, are obligated to perform such duties. In case they are facing hardships, including being overburdened with their own routine duties as well as the additional responsibilities assigned by the Election Commission of India, the State Governments can obviate such hardships - Directions issued: (i) The State Governments may consider the desirability of deputing additional staff at the disposal of the Election Commission of India so that the working hours of the deployed staff can be proportionately reduced. (ii) Wherever any individual has specific reasons for seeking exemption from duty assigned by the Election Commission of India, the competent Authority in the State Governments may consider such a request on a case-to-case basis and replace such person with another employee. However, it shall not be construed or understood that after withdrawing the deployed employees, their substitutes shall not be provided. In other words, the State shall be obligated to deploy the requisite workforce at the disposal of the Election Commission of India, though the strength of such employees can be increased, as observed above