Voter Roll Overhaul Sparks Crisis as BLOs Face Heavy Strain

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in India has triggered a crisis affecting over 5.3 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) tasked with verifying details for more than 51 crore voters. Launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) across 12 states and Union Territories, the initiative aims to eliminate duplicate entries, deceased voters, and those who have migrated. However, the aggressive timeline and extensive workload have come under sharp criticism, raising serious concerns over the well-being of the officers involved.

The SIR process was set against an ambitious deadline, which has led to significant pressure on BLOs who often juggle this responsibility alongside their regular jobs. Tragically, reports indicate that at least 25 BLOs have died in just 22 days, with some incidents linked to suicide or stress-induced medical emergencies. In particular, a 46-year-old BLO in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, took his own life due to the overwhelming pressure of the job. Similar incidents have been reported in Kerala and Rajasthan, where officials faced severe mental stress from the demanding door-to-door enumeration.

Opposition leaders and civil society representatives have expressed outrage over these developments. Mallikarjun Kharge, President of the Indian National Congress, described the situation as a “deadly turn” in what he termed electoral malpractice. Rahul Gandhi has criticized the SIR exercise as an “imposed tyranny,” arguing that the unrealistic targets are driving BLOs to despair. Regional leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, have accused the ECI of mismanagement and suggested that the SIR initiative is being used to manipulate electoral rolls, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations.

Under growing scrutiny, the ECI announced an extension of the SIR deadline on November 30, 2025. The new schedule allows house-to-house verification to continue until December 11, pushing back the publication of draft electoral rolls to December 16 and the final voter list to February 14, 2026. This decision comes in response to the mounting concerns over the heavy burden and mental strain faced by BLOs.

In light of the backlash, the ECI has doubled the annual remuneration for BLOs from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 and increased incentives for electoral roll revisions. Critics, however, argue that these measures are insufficient given the long hours and intense responsibilities that BLOs face, often without adequate training or support.

As the SIR process unfolds, significant procedural concerns remain. The initial 30-day deadline for nationwide enumeration has been widely criticized as unrealistic. Many BLOs report confusion over instructions and inadequate support, creating an environment conducive to human error and mental stress. The tragic toll of deaths and suicides among BLOs has highlighted the “human cost” of administrative decisions, prompting broader ethical discussions about workload management, mental health, and the overall integrity of election processes.

Looking ahead, pressure is mounting on the ECI to reassess its approach to the SIR initiative. Opposition parties are demanding a thorough investigation into the fatalities and an independent inquiry into systemic failures. Calls for compensation and government positions for the families of deceased BLOs are also gaining traction.

What began as an effort to improve the electoral rolls now risks undermining the very democratic principles it aimed to uphold by eroding the trust of those responsible for ensuring fair voter representation and threatening the lives of the officers diligently working to maintain the integrity of the electoral system.