Kerala: BLO Found Dead; Family Links Death to SIR-Related Work Pressure

 

Kerala: BLO Found Dead; Family Links Death to SIR-Related Work Pressure

In Kerala’s Kannur district, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) assigned to local body election duties was found dead at his residence on Sunday. The deceased, Aneesh George, was employed as a peon at a government school in Payyannur and had been serving concurrently as a BLO.

According to police, he was discovered hanging inside the first-floor hall of his home. The FIR notes that George had been under significant stress connected to his BLO responsibilities, particularly those related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

Relatives Raise Concern Over Workload

Family members and neighbours allege that SIR-related pressure pushed him toward the extreme step.
Shyam, a family acquaintance, said George had repeatedly complained about the heavy workload.

He added that George had been working late into the night—“till 2 AM,” according to the family—trying to complete SIR forms and distribute them across his assigned area. Relatives say the mounting workload and deadlines left him overwhelmed.

Political Parties Highlight Pressure on BLOs

The incident comes amid growing criticism of the SIR exercise in Kerala.
CPI(M) leader M. V. Jayarajan stated that the party has long warned about the workload faced by BLOs.
Congress leader Rijil Makkutty alleged that the Election Commission’s push to implement SIR before the local body elections had intensified pressure, calling George “a victim” of the process. He urged the Commission to temporarily halt SIR operations until the LSGD elections are completed.

Election Commission Responds

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Kelkar said a detailed report has been sought from the Kannur District Collector.
He noted that a police investigation is in progress and further actions would be taken after reviewing the findings.

Kelkar maintained that BLOs are assigned only SIR-related tasks for 31 days, suggesting there should not normally be any overload. He added that no official complaints about excessive pressure had been received so far.

The death of the BLO has sparked discussions on workload, administrative planning, and the pressures faced by frontline election workers as Kerala prepares for local body elections.

News Sources :- https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kerala-blo-ends-life-ahead-of-local-body-elections-family-alleges-sir-related-job-stress-11763287974237.html