Supreme Court Raises Alarm on Threats to Election Officials

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the safety of Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) involved in electoral roll revisions in West Bengal and other states. The court urged the Election Commission to address threats faced by officials, hinting at involving central forces if local protection is insufficient.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday voiced grave concerns over threats faced by Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in electoral duties in West Bengal and other states. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, emphasized the urgency for the Election Commission (EC) to ensure the safety of its officials amid ongoing revisions of the electoral rolls, cautioning that inaction could lead to 'anarchy.'

Appearing for the Election Commission, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi highlighted the challenges faced due to inadequate cooperation from state governments. He noted the potential need for central forces if local security arrangements failed. Meanwhile, Senior Advocate V. Giri, representing the petitioners, outlined incidents of violence and intimidation against BLOs, urging the court to intervene.

Despite reports of violence, Justice Bagchi remarked on the limited concrete evidence, referencing only a single FIR filed. Nevertheless, the bench stressed the importance of state cooperation with the EC, seeking responses from the central and West Bengal governments to reassess the safety measures for electoral workers before the revision's final stage.

(With inputs from agencies.)