The Congress party has launched a scathing attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the deaths of 26 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) over the past 20 days are a direct result of pressure and mismanagement related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party has accused the BJP of orchestrating a "murder of democracy" and holding the ECI accountable for failing to protect the officers.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been particularly vocal, asserting that the BJP's "hunger for power" is driving the situation, drawing parallels between the SIR exercise and the disruptive demonetization and COVID-19 lockdown periods. Kharge questioned the ECI's silence on the deaths and urged citizens to protest against the ongoing SIR exercise. He also claimed that the actual number of BLO deaths is much higher than reported.
The allegations stem from reports of BLOs across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat, facing immense pressure and stress due to the SIR. The SIR, which is underway in 12 states and Union Territories, aims to revise and update the electoral rolls. However, BLOs are reportedly struggling with unrealistic deadlines, excessive workloads, and technical issues, leading to severe mental and physical strain.
Several incidents have highlighted the dire situation. In Uttar Pradesh, four BLO deaths have been linked to SIR pressure. One BLO in Gonda allegedly consumed poison due to the stress, while another in Lucknow suffered a brain hemorrhage. In Gujarat, a BLO died by suicide, leaving a note blaming the SIR workload. Similar incidents and concerns have been reported in Rajasthan, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, a BLO's suicide prompted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to express shock and hold the ECI responsible.
The ECI has acknowledged the issue of work-related stress among BLOs and has taken some steps to address the concerns. In one instance, after an audio message surfaced regarding a BLO's stress, the ECI offered the officer the option to discontinue SIR responsibilities. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient to tackle the systemic problems.
Opposition parties and families of the deceased BLOs allege that the pressure extends beyond just workload. Some claim that BLOs are being pressured to remove names of voters from specific caste groups. Congress leaders have described the SIR as an "imposed oppression" and a "deliberate ploy" to harass citizens and manipulate voter lists. Rahul Gandhi stated that the ECI has created a system where citizens have to sift through thousands of scanned pages of old voter lists just to find themselves, alleging that the intent is to exhaust legitimate voters and enable vote theft.
The BJP has refuted the Congress's allegations, with some leaders claiming that the deaths are unrelated to electoral work. However, the rising number of reported deaths and the widespread concerns voiced by BLOs, their families, and opposition parties have put the ECI and the government under increasing scrutiny. The controversy has raised serious questions about the conduct of the SIR exercise and its impact on the well-being of those tasked with implementing it.
