Mounting Distress: Second West Bengal BLO Death Raises Concerns Over Election commission’s Voter Verification Drive
A second election worker in West Bengal has died by suicide in the past week, intensifying scrutiny of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Systematic Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) process. The latest tragedy involves a 53-year-old para teacher working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Nadia district, who left a note directly blaming the ECI for her death. This incident follows the suicide of an anganwadi worker in Jalpaiguri last week, also linked too the pressures of the ongoing voter verification exercise.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared the two-page handwritten note on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a political firestorm and raising serious questions about the well-being of election personnel. the note, written in Bengali, paints a picture of unbearable pressure and humiliation.
The BLO’s Desperate Plea
The deceased para teacher’s note reveals a deeply distressing situation. Key excerpts highlight her anguish:
* “I want to live. My family lacks nothing.”
* “But for this modest job, they pushed me to such humiliation that I was left with no choice but to die.”
* “I don’t support any political party. I am a very simple person. But I cannot bear this inhuman pressure.”
* “I had completed 95% of the offline task. But I don’t know anything about the online task.”
She explicitly holds the ECI responsible for her fate, expressing her inability to cope with the demands of the new online component of the SIR process. This underscores a critical issue: adequate training and support for BLOs navigating the digital transition.
What is SIR and Why the Controversy?
The SIR is a crucial process aimed at cleaning up the electoral rolls, removing duplicate entries, and ensuring accurate voter lists. However, the current iteration, heavily reliant on a new app and online data entry, has been met with meaningful resistance and reports of technical glitches.
The ECI initiated the SIR across 12 states and Union Territories simultaneously. the process involves BLOs conducting door-to-door surveys to verify voter details and uploading the information to a centralized database. The speed and intensity of the drive, coupled with perceived lack of adequate training and a problematic app, are at the heart of the current crisis.
Political Fallout and Allegations
Chief Minister Banerjee has repeatedly voiced her concerns, publicly requesting the Chief Election Commissioner to halt the exercise. She argues the “unplanned and coercive drive” is endangering lives and perhaps undermining the legitimacy of the election process.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) claims at least 34 individuals in West Bengal have died by suicide due to the stress induced by SIR. They allege the app frequently malfunctions and BLOs are ill-equipped to handle the online tasks.
However, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) in west Bengal dismisses these claims as politically motivated. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya points out the simultaneous rollout in multiple states without similar reported incidents, suggesting the TMC is attempting to deflect attention from potential irregularities in the voter lists. He also highlighted the TMC’s own claim of potentially 20 million questionable voters, implying a motive to disrupt the verification process.
Investigation and Support
The Nadia district magistrate has been directed to submit a report on the BLO’s death. This investigation will be crucial in determining the specific factors contributing to this tragic outcome.
If you are a BLO or election worker feeling overwhelmed, remember you are not alone. The pressure of this process is immense, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Resources are available:
* Aasra: 022 2754 6669
* Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050
* Sanjivini: 011-24311918
* Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad): 040-66202001, 040-66202000
* ONE LIFE: 78930 78930
* SEVA: 09441778290
This situation demands a
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