Archive · 20 Nov 2025
BLOs Die Amidst SIR Pressure: Kerala, Rajasthan, WB
Several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) working on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have died in recent weeks.
Their families blame the intense workload and pressure from officials for their deaths.
The Election Commission (EC) has ordered SIR for multiple states ahead of upcoming elections but denies direct links between the BLOs' deaths and their duties.
At least four Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died across India this month due to alleged suicide or heart attack while working on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
In Kerala, Aneesh George (44) died by suicide, allegedly due to work pressure; in Rajasthan, Hariram Bairwa (34) died of a heart attack minutes after receiving a call from the tehsildar; in West Bengal, Namita Hansda (50) died after suffering a brain stroke
Family members of the deceased BLOs allege excessive workload and pressure from officials led to their deaths
Election Commission (EC) has ordered SIR for multiple states ahead of upcoming elections
EC denies direct link between BLOs' deaths and SIR duties, attributing some deaths to medical reasons
- Who
- Booth Level Officers (BLOs) Aneesh George, Hariram Bairwa, Namita Hansda, and others
- What
- Deaths of BLOs during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- When
- November 2022
- Where
- Kerala, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and other states
- Why
- Alleged work pressure and excessive workload during SIR
Family Members of Deceased BLOs
Election Commission (EC)
Work Pressure
Family Members of Deceased BLOs
Family members allege excessive workload and pressure led to BLOs' deaths
Election Commission (EC)
EC denies direct link between BLOs' deaths and SIR duties, attributing some deaths to medical reasons
- Total BLOs died
- At least four
- States affected
- Kerala, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep
- Upcoming elections
- 2022-2023
Sources
SIR: CEO asks officers to hold meetings with booth level officers to ensure electoral roll accuracy
Supreme Court to hear plea challenging SIR in Kerala on Nov 21
Man Dies After Consuming Pesticide Amid Anxiety Over SIR Voter Verification
West Bengal: BLO found hanging outside home, family alleges she was overworked due to SIR
Bengal CM Banerjee slams EC over suicide of BLO allegedly over SIR work pressure
Jalpaiguri BLO suicide: Mamata slams EC over ‘inhuman pressure’ on field workers, demands exercise be halted
‘She wanted to resign’: BLO dies by suicide due to ‘work pressure’, her family in Bengal alleges
BLO on SIR duty in Rajasthan dies of heart attack, family alleges work pressure
Kerala CEO Seeks Public Support for SIR Exercis
Mamata Urges EC to Halt SIR After Another BLO Dies
Bengal Poll Officer Allegedly Dies By Suicide; Work Pressure, Says Family
Fourth BLO death in a month: Officer on SIR duty dies of heart attack in Rajasthan, kin allege work pressure
WB: Woman BLO Dies By Suicide, Relatives Cite Election Work Pressure
BLO dies by suicide in Jalpaiguri amid SIR stress, language barrier; Mamata slams EC
‘Halt this unplanned drive’, Mamata Banerjee slams ECI after another BLO dies by suicide due to alleged SIR workload
Kerala CEO warns of action over obstruction of BLOs in electoral roll revision - Telegraph India
At half-way mark, as BLOs struggle against deadline, 16% of forms digitised
