On Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep shock over the demise of Shanti Muni Ekka, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Jalpaiguri.
She alleged that Shanti took her own life due to unbearable pressure from the ongoing Special Revision Of Electoral Rolls (SIR).
Mamata called this incident the 28th such death since the revision process began, adding that many officials were collapsing under fear, uncertainty, stress and excessive workload.
Taking a dig at the Election Commission of India (ECI), Banerjee said the SIR, a process that normally takes 2-3 years, was being compressed into two months, creating “inhuman pressure” on BLOs.
Mamata also urged the Commission to “act with conscience” and immediately halt what she termed as “unplanned relentless workload” to prevent further loss of life.
Congress MP Jebi Mather also voiced concern on Tuesday, blaming the alleged suicide of a BLO in Kerala’s Kannur on similar pressures.
Mather said the rushed SIR process exemplified how “a system can kill a person” when human limits are ignored.
The ECI is yet to issue a detailed response to Banerjee’s allegations and concerns.
