Work pressure allegation continues; another BLO collapses during SIR

KANNUR: Another BLO (Booth Level Officer) collapsed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls. Valiyaveetil Ramachandran (53), a native of Kuttikara in Ancharakandy, Kannur, collapsed. The incident took place while he was returning home after the SIR camp. Ramachandran's family alleges that he collapsed due to work pressure. The BLO has been admitted to the hospital. Ramachandran is a clerk at the Kannur DCE office.

Palode Sub-District Education Officer R Anil (50) had fainted on November 18. He is the BLO of booth 44 in Vamanapuram constituency. The family responded that the work was too stressful for Anil.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Officer Ratan Kelkar stated that the Election Commission has complete authority over Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are appointed according to the constitution. He also announced that strict action would be taken against anyone obstructing their work, specifically mentioning that they are considered public servants and that those who hinder them can face legal consequences under Section 121 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "We have received complaints from many districts. We have noticed fake news and social media campaigns against BLOs who are working well," Ratan Kelkar said.

"There will be strong action against those who commit cyber attacks. The police have been instructed to help the BLOs. More than 97 percent of the enumeration forms have been distributed. Five lakh forms have been digitized. BLOs have been instructed to convene a meeting of booth level agents nominated by recognized political parties to facilitate SIR activities. The move is to ensure maximum accuracy and transparency in the activities and to avoid complaints in the future. All political parties should actively participate in the meeting. Booth Level Agents (BLAs) can collect a maximum of 50 forms each per day and hand them over to the BLOs," said Ratan Kelkar.