Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, stated on Sunday that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has caused “chaos” across the country and alleged that 16 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died due to stress related to their work.
The SIR is currently being conducted in nine states and three Union Territories. The first phase of this revision took place in Bihar ahead of the state’s assembly elections.
“Under the guise of SIR, chaos has been unleashed across the country – the result? In three weeks, 16 BLOs have lost their lives due to heart attacks, stress, and suicides—SIR is no reform, it’s an imposed tyranny,” Gandhi alleged in a post on X in Hindi.
He further described the SIR as a “calculated ploy,” indicating that citizens are being harassed and the deaths of BLOs from excessive pressure are being dismissed as “collateral damage.” He emphasized this was not a mere failure but rather a conspiracy that sacrifices democracy to protect those in power.
According to media reports shared by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the 16 deceased BLOs were from six states, including four each from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three from West Bengal, two from Rajasthan, and one each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The death of a BLO in West Bengal has caused political friction. Governor CV Ananda Bose stated that the death of Shanti Muni Ekka, who allegedly took her own life due to “unbearable pressure” from SIR duties, will be investigated thoroughly.
In response to the situation, the Governor commented, “In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. The Chief Minister’s statements need detailed examination. I trust the Election Commission is strong enough to address these issues effectively, ensuring free and fair elections in the country.”
In a separate incident, a woman BLO in Nadia district, West Bengal, was found dead at her home, with family members attributing her death to stress from SIR duties. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and labeled the situation as “truly alarming.” A “suicide note” shared by the Chief Minister indicated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was held responsible for her death.
Additionally, two teachers acting as BLOs in Madhya Pradesh died after reportedly suffering from illnesses on Friday.
The Trinamool Congress plans to hold an internal meeting on November 24, chaired by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, to review the SIR process and make improvements, ensuring all eligible citizens are accounted for.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also scheduled to meet the Matua community in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, on November 25.
The final elector’s list is set to be published on February 7, 2026. The states and Union Territories involved in the SIR include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
