The Delhi High Court on Tuesday observed that while the Election Commission of India (ECI) has the constitutional authority to requisition government school teachers for election-related duties, it must ensure that such deployment does not place an “unbearable” burden on them or adversely affect their teaching responsibilities under the Right to Education Act.

Hearing a PIL challenging the large-scale deployment of government school teachers as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and enumeration staff for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Division Bench directed the petitioner to file a rebuttal affidavit if it disputed the Election Commission’s claim regarding the number of teachers deployed during school hours.

The Court also questioned the Election Commission’s circulars stating that no action should be taken against teachers for election-related duties, observing that such directions appeared inconsistent with the claim that teachers were being engaged only after school hours. It further noted that teachers should not be made to work excessively beyond their regular classroom hours.

The Election Commission informed the Court that efforts were being made to ensure teachers were not overworked, that refreshments were being provided, and that the SIR exercise was nearing completion. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 20.