Supreme Court Holds States Accountable for Booth Level Officer Deaths Amid Electoral Pressure

Dec 04, 2025 04:14 pm CST

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over deaths of Booth Level Officers revising voter lists, holding state governments responsible for their working conditions. Chief Justice Surya Kant directed states to grant leave to unwell BLOs and provide substitutes, responding to a petition by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam about 35-40 BLO deaths. The petition alleged Election Commission coercion through Section 32 threats, while opposition parties claim "inhuman" work pressure on electoral staff.