The deadline for voter list revision (SIR) in UP has now been extended till December 11. BLO Sarvesh Singh committed suicide due to pressure in Moradabad. The Election Commission decided to reduce the work pressure of BLOs with the new dates.
The Election Commission has finally taken a big decision amidst the concerns being raised for the last several days regarding the intensive revision campaign of voter list i.e. SIR in UP. The ever-increasing workload, fatigue of BLOs in the field, and stress-related deaths reported in some districts had raised questions on both the pace and organization of this campaign. In view of these circumstances, the Commission has extended the last date of SIR by one week, so that the BLOs can get some relief and the work of voter list can be completed without haste.
New deadline of SIR: Now forms will be filled till 11th December
The Election Commission officially informed that the new last date for submission of SIR form has now been extended to December 11. With this the entire timeline has been changed:
- Publication of draft voter list: Now 16 December instead of 9 December
- Date of release of final voter list: 14 February instead of 7 February
Complaints about increasing pressure and continuous workload by BLOs were reported from many districts. In some cases, employees even died, raising questions about the operation’s functioning and safety.
Also read: The dead body was kept in the mortuary…who gnawed the eyes and ears? Jhansi Medical College accused of negligence
BLO commits suicide in Moradabad, writes in suicide note – ‘Not able to accomplish target’
Even before the decision to extend the deadline, a heartbreaking news came from UP. In Moradabad, 46-year-old Sarvesh Singh, who was an assistant teacher at the Composite School in Zahidpur Sikampur of Bhagatpur Tanda block, committed suicide late Saturday night. Police have found a suicide note from the spot. In it he wrote:
I am very stressed due to non-fulfillment of SIR target. Therefore I am forced to commit suicide.
Sarvesh Singh was made BLO on 7 October. According to his family and colleagues, he had been under stress for several days due to campaign pressure and constant reporting. His body was found hanging in the house on Sunday morning. SP Dehat Kunwar Akash Singh said that the matter is being investigated and administrative action will be decided on the basis of further report.
What does this decision change for BLO?
According to experts, extending the deadline will provide some relief to BLOs working in the field, as the work of voter list update is time-consuming and involves excessive document verification. This decision is considered important amidst the ever increasing pressure.
Also read: The dead body was kept in the mortuary…who gnawed the eyes and ears? Jhansi Medical College accused of negligence
Disclaimer: Suicide is not the solution to any problem. If you are also having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, then you can immediately take help from family, friends and psychiatrist. Apart from this, you can also ask for help by calling these helpline numbers. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata). In case of mental stress, you can get help sitting at home by contacting helpline numbers 14416 and 1800 8914416 for counselling.