Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 18: A major crisis is unfolding across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan as two Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died and hundreds of officials have raised alarms over excessive workload linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In Kerala, the alleged suicide of 44-year-old BLO Aneesh George from Kannur has triggered a political storm. George, an office attendant who served as BLO for Booth No. 18 in Payyanur Assembly constituency, was found dead at home on Sunday. Though no suicide note was recovered, his family and colleagues blamed intense pressure to complete SIR duties by December 4.

On Monday, BLOs across the state boycotted work. Trade unions of government employees also staged protests at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Thiruvananthapuram and at district collectorates, demanding that authorities ease the pressure and postpone the SIR.

Opposition parties, including CPI(M) and Congress, have called for postponement of the exercise until after local body polls. However, Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan stated in his report that George was not under unusual pressure, noting that out of 1,065 enumeration forms issued, only 50 remained to be distributed and the others were pending digital update.

In Tamil Nadu, a statewide boycott of SIR work will begin from November 18, announced the Federation of Associations of Revenue Employees (FERA). The body has flagged “unreasonable targets, severe stress, midnight review meetings and excessive workload,” while demanding an extension, more staff, proper training and an honorarium equal to one month’s salary.

Officials involved in the process told The Indian Express that they are already burdened with monsoon duties, control room work and other seasonal responsibilities. Beginning Tuesday, staff across various departments — including anganwadi workers, noon-meal staff, teachers, supervisors and municipal employees — will stop accepting, distributing or digitising SIR forms.

In Rajasthan, another tragedy unfolded when Jaipur-based government school teacher and BLO Mukesh Jangid, 45, allegedly died after jumping in front of a train on Sunday. A suicide note recovered by police stated that he was facing “extreme work pressure” and was warned of suspension if he failed to meet SIR deadlines. His family said he had been working nearly 12 hours daily.

Government employee unions in Rajasthan have urged authorities to avoid pressuring field workers, stressing that quality of voter data must take precedence. They plan to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Congress has demanded a full investigation into Jangid’s death.

With protests intensifying and BLOs refusing to work, the SIR process faces significant disruption across all three states. Authorities in the Election Commission are yet to respond to concerns raised by the staff.