• Source:JND
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The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll has come under sharp national scrutiny, with several states reporting the deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Assistant BLOs allegedly due to intense workload and pressure. Since house-to-house verification began on November 4, 16 officers across six states have died either by suicide or due to health complications. In many cases, families have claimed that the pressure of completing SIR duties within strict deadlines pushed the officers beyond their limits.

According to reports, four BLO deaths each were registered in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, while West Bengal reported at least three cases. Two deaths were recorded in Rajasthan and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Notes recovered from some officers who died by suicide mentioned work pressure, while relatives of other victims said their family members were overwhelmed by the deadlines set by senior officials.

ALSO READ: Noida SIR Drive: Heavy BLO Workload Sparks Teacher Resignation, Health Concerns; Classrooms Left Unattended

Political Leaders Target Election Commission

As the issue gained national attention, political leaders strongly criticised the Election Commission and the central government. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi described the SIR exercise as “imposed oppression” and alleged that the drive was being misused to exhaust voters and weaken democratic participation. “The result? Sixteen BLOs have lost their lives in three weeks. Heart attacks, stress, suicide — SIR is not a reform, it is an imposed oppression,” Gandhi wrote on X. He accused the Election Commission of ignoring the deaths, calling them “collateral damage”.

Gandhi also questioned the paperwork-heavy process. “If the intentions were clear, the list would be digital, searchable, and machine-readable, and the ECI would have taken its time to focus on transparency and accountability instead of rushing through the work in a 30-day hurry,” he said.

Kharge Links Deaths To Overwork, Questions EC Silence

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar concerns, calling the situation a “deadly turn” in alleged electoral malpractice. Referring to reports suggesting 16 deaths across six states, he posted, “The BJP's vote theft has now taken a deadly turn. Overburdened with workload, BLOs and Polling Officers are being driven to suicide.” Kharge questioned the Election Commission’s silence and linked the SIR rollout to the sudden, disruptive implementation of demonetisation and the COVID-19 lockdown.

Mamata Banerjee Flags ‘Unbearable Pressure’ On Officers

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also raised concerns after another BLO death in the State. She said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” and claimed that “unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work” had caused the death. “A process that earlier took three years is now being forced into two months on the eve of elections to please political masters, putting inhuman pressure on BLOs,” she posted on X. Banerjee further alleged that “28 people have already lost their lives” since the SIR began, blaming the “unplanned, relentless workload” for the casualties.

BJP Rejects Claims, Says Deaths Not Linked To SIR

The BJP, however, rejected these allegations. Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said the deaths were not connected to electoral work. “This is nothing but a disease that has gripped the Trinamool Congress,” he claimed.

ALSO READ: UP SIR News: 60 Booth-Level Officers, 7 Supervisors Booked For Work 'Negligence' In Noida

Noida BLOs Report Daily Strain, One Teacher Resigns

Amid the national debate, ground reports from Noida captured the day-to-day strain faced by many BLOs. On Sunday, an assistant teacher, Pinky Singh from Geja Upper Primary School, resigned through the official BLO WhatsApp group, saying she could no longer cope with the workload assigned at Rockwood School in Sector 33. Teachers in the district said long hours, constant walking during door-to-door visits and health issues had made the job unmanageable.

With 1,200 of Noida’s 3,000 teachers deployed as BLOs, many schools are functioning with limited staff. Several classrooms reportedly remain unattended as the SIR exercise continues.

The Election Commission has so far sought reports from districts affected by these deaths but has not publicly accepted a link between BLO workload and the tragedies. It maintains that only isolated cases have occurred, highlighting the overall commitment of staff to the SIR process.

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