Delhi High Court questions EC on mandatory deployment of teachers for electoral roll revision.
The Delhi High Court questioned the Election Commission's (EC) assertion that teachers are compensated and voluntarily deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Hearing a PIL challenging the large-scale deployment of government school teachers as Booth-Level Officers (BLOs), the court highlighted the adverse impact on students' education and the stress on teachers, citing a recent death. The Bench suggested that if participation is voluntary, the EC should state it, questioning if Article 324 grants the EC unlimited power.
Key Points
- The Delhi High Court is examining a PIL against the extensive deployment of government school teachers for electoral roll revision duties.
- The court questioned the EC's claim that teachers' participation in election duties is voluntary and adequately compensated.
- Concerns were raised about the negative impact on students' education due to teachers being withdrawn from classes.
- The Bench cited a teacher's death, allegedly due to stress from balancing teaching and BLO duties, to underscore the issue.
- The court questioned the scope of EC's powers under Article 324 regarding mandatory deployment.
Exam Facts
- The PIL was filed by advocates Rajesh Kumar Gogna and Ashok Agarwal.
- A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard the plea.
- Suman Lata, a 51-year-old MCD primary school teacher assigned BLO duties, died of a heart attack.
- Article 324 of the Constitution grants the EC power of "superintendence, direction and control" over polls.
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