Why Did a Female Booth-Level Officer Commit Suicide in Bengal?
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Synopsis
The tragic suicide of a female Booth-Level Officer in Bengal raises questions about the pressure faced by election officials. As the ECI investigates, the incident highlights the urgent need for reform in how electoral duties are assigned and managed.
Key Takeaways
- The suicide of a female BLO in Bengal highlights the pressures electoral workers face.
- The ECI has been called to reassess the workload placed on its staff.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly criticized the commission for its role in this tragedy.
- This incident brings to light the need for reforms in electoral management practices.
- Previous cases of stress-related incidents among BLOs underline a systemic issue that requires urgent attention.
Kolkata, Nov 19 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has requested a comprehensive report from the District Magistrate, who also serves as the District Election Officer of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, following the tragic suicide of a female Booth-Level Officer (BLO) in the Mal Bazar area. Reports suggest that her decision to end her life was linked to the overwhelming demands of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted by the commission.
This action from the ECI came shortly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a strong statement on social media, attributing the responsibility of the BLO's suicide to the ECI.
She asserted that the undue stress placed on BLOs to finalize the revision process within a two-month period has created an unbearable burden, marking the officer from Mal Bazar as the first casualty of this excessive workload.
Following the ECI's direction, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, instructed the District Election Officer of Jalpaiguri to expedite the report on the matter, as confirmed by a source within the CEO's office.
“Once the CEO receives the report, it will be forwarded to the ECI headquarters in New Delhi,” the insider indicated.
The suicide occurred amid a visit from a four-member central ECI team, which is currently in Bengal for a four-day assessment of the SIR's progress in the region.
Family members of the deceased BLO reported that she felt compelled to take her own life due to the immense pressure associated with the SIR responsibilities. The victim has been identified as Shantimani Ekka, a resident of Rangamati Panchayat in Mal Bazar.
She was recently assigned the task of managing SIR duties, which involved going door-to-door to distribute enumeration forms and collect completed forms.
Earlier this month, another female BLO, Namita Hansda, passed away from a brain stroke attributed to the stress of her work. This incident occurred in Memari, East Burdwan district, where she was active as a BLO while also working as an Anganwadi worker.
She suffered a brain stroke after a grueling day filled with door-to-door visits to distribute enumeration forms.
Point of View
We must advocate for reforms that prioritize mental health within our electoral systems.
NationPress
19/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the suicide of the BLO?
The suicide appears to be linked to the immense pressure faced during the Special Intensive Revision exercise mandated by the Election Commission.
Who is responsible for the BLO's suicide according to the Chief Minister?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has attributed the responsibility to the Election Commission of India for the undue stress placed on the BLOs.
What actions has the ECI taken following the incident?
The ECI has requested a detailed report from the District Election Officer of Jalpaiguri regarding the circumstances surrounding the suicide.
