Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Delhi HC questions EC on mandatory election duty for teachers
The Delhi High Court is questioning the Election Commission about making it mandatory for government school teachers to work as election officers.
The court wants to know if this is really necessary and if it's fair to the teachers and students.
The Election Commission says teachers only work during non-teaching hours and get paid for it.
The court wants the Election Commission to clarify if this is voluntary or mandatory.
The petitioners, who filed the case, want to make sure teachers are not forced to do this and that it doesn't affect classroom teaching.
The court has asked the Election Commission to give a clear answer by Monday and will hear the case again on July 28.
Delhi High Court seeks Election Commission's response on mandatory deployment of teachers for election duties.
Petitioners argue that deployment disrupts classroom teaching and should be voluntary.
Election Commission claims teachers work only during non-teaching hours and receive compensation.
Court directs EC to file a short affidavit by Monday and lists the matter for hearing on July 28.
Petitioners seek to cap teacher deployment at 10% and prioritize non-teaching staff for election duties.
- Who
- Delhi High Court, Election Commission, Government School Teachers
- What
- PIL challenging mandatory deployment of teachers for election duties
- When
- Ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi
- Where
- Delhi High Court
- Why
- To protect the fundamental rights of students and ensure proper classroom teaching
Petitioners' View
Election Commission's View
Mandatory Deployment
Petitioners' View
The petitioners argue that the deployment of teachers for election duties is mandatory and disrupts classroom teaching.
Election Commission's View
The EC states that teachers are only required to work during non-teaching hours or holidays and that only 10-14% are eventually called upon.
Voluntary Participation
Petitioners' View
The petitioners seek a directive to make participation voluntary and to cap deployment at 10%.
Election Commission's View
The EC takes a liberal view and claims that participation is voluntary, but refusal to comply could attract penal consequences.
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Bench
- Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
- Petitioners
- Advocates Rajesh Kumar Gogna and Ashok Agarwal
- Election Commission's Response Deadline
- Monday
- Next Hearing Date
- July 28
- Compensation
- Teachers receive honorarium and compensation
- Percentage of Teachers Deployed
- 10-14%