Amidst growing concerns over work-related stress during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal has lauded the efforts of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), while also acknowledging the gravity of alleged work-pressure deaths. The CEO's office is now seeking detailed reports on these incidents.
Agarwal addressed the media on Monday, as BLOs in Kolkata protested against the immense pressure they face during the SIR process. He stated that the poll body has asked District Magistrates (DMs) of four districts to submit postmortem reports of the BLOs who have died during the SIR exercise. "We are receiving complaints that BLOs are under pressure and some are falling ill. We have asked the District Magistrates (DMs) to assist them," Agarwal said. "There are also reports that some BLOs have died. We have asked the DMs of four districts to send the police and PM (postmortem) reports," he added. The reports are expected to be received within a couple of days.
The backdrop to this situation involves allegations of excessive workload and inadequate support for BLOs during the SIR. The SIR is a special intensive revision of electoral rolls. BLOs are responsible for distributing, collecting, and digitizing enumeration forms, a duty CEO Agarwal describes as a "Constitutional duty". The current SIR aims to compress a revision process that previously took three years into a mere three months, leading to "inhuman working conditions" for BLOs and causing "fear and uncertainty" among the general public.
Recent reports highlight the immense pressure on BLOs, with several incidents of illness and alleged suicides linked to SIR duties. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed shock and concern over these deaths, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to halt the SIR process in the state. Banerjee wrote a letter to the CEC, calling for immediate corrective measures to prevent further loss of life due to SIR-related stress. She emphasized the lack of preparedness, planning, and communication surrounding the SIR, which has created a chaotic and dangerous environment.
The concerns extend beyond just workload. BLOs have reported miscommunication, server issues, and difficulties with the digitization process, adding to their burden. A functionary of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee stated that BLOs are being directed to complete tasks in a short period, tasks that usually take more than two years. The committee alleges that BLOs are falling sick, and some have died by suicide due to stress.
Adding to the complexity, opposition parties like the BJP and CPI(M) have alleged that some BLOs are conducting SIR work from Trinamool Congress party offices, potentially enabling fraudulent voter registrations. These parties suggest that Banerjee's concerns are an attempt to influence BLOs to retain fake voters on the electoral rolls.
Despite the challenges and concerns, CEO Agarwal has praised the majority of BLOs for their dedication and hard work. He noted that 99% of BLOs are working very hard from morning to night, and the entire SIR process depends on them. However, he acknowledged that there might be instances where BLOs have not performed properly.
In response to the situation, the CEO's office has taken steps to address the concerns. District Magistrates have been asked to assist BLOs, and reports are being gathered on the deaths of BLOs allegedly due to workload. Additionally, a BLO in Hooghly district who suffered a cerebral attack while on SIR duty was relieved of her responsibilities.
As the SIR process continues, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of BLOs and the integrity of the electoral rolls. The ECI faces the challenge of balancing the need for timely revision with the need to protect the health and safety of those involved in the process. The reports sought by the CEO's office will be crucial in understanding the full extent of the issues and implementing necessary corrective measures.
