Archive · 7 Aug 2025
ECI: No Restrictions on Teacher BLO Deployment, Delhi High Court Informed
Some teachers in Delhi schools were told to work as booth level officers (BLOs) for elections.
They complained to the court, saying it wasn't right according to rules and the Right to Education Act, which says teachers shouldn't do non-teaching jobs.
They also said other government workers should be asked first.
However, the Election Commission said they changed the rules in June, so now anyone in the Group C and above categories can be a BLO.
They said teachers can work on non-teaching days.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Delhi High Court there is no restriction on deploying teachers as BLOs.
This information came after amendments to ECI guidelines in June.
Teachers from Delhi government schools had objected to their assignment as booth level officers (BLOs).
The petitioners argued their appointment as BLOs contradicted ECI guidelines and the RTE Act.
The ECI stated any Group C and above employees can be BLOs, working on non-teaching days.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India (ECI), Delhi government school teachers.
- What
- The Delhi High Court was informed that there is no restriction on deploying teachers as BLOs.
- When
- After amendments to ECI guidelines in June.
- Where
- Delhi High Court.
- Why
- Due to the objections raised by teachers regarding their deployment as BLOs.
Teachers' Perspective
Election Commission/Delhi Govt
Violation of Guidelines
Teachers' Perspective
Teachers' argued that their appointment as BLOs was in contravention of the ECI’s guidelines of November 3, 2010, and October 4, 2022.
Election Commission/Delhi Govt
The Election Commission stated that amendments were carried out on June 5 to the earlier guidelines modifying several clauses.
Violation of RTE Act
Teachers' Perspective
Petitioners argued that their appointment as BLOs contradicts Section 27 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act), 2009.
Election Commission/Delhi Govt
The Delhi government and the ECI informed the court that teachers can be deployed as BLOs, as long as they work on holidays, non-teaching days, and outside teaching hours.
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Parties involved
- ECI, Delhi Government, Teachers
- Issue
- Teacher deployment as BLOs
- ECI Guidelines
- Amended in June
- RTE Act Section
- Section 27 cited by petitioners