A 46-year-old Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district died by suicide on Sunday, with police confirming that the incident appears to be linked to mounting work pressure under the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The deceased, identified as Sarvesh Singh, was found dead at his residence in the Chajlet area, leaving behind a suicide note as well as a video message ‘ purportedly’ recorded shortly before his death.
According to police officials, Singh had been deployed as a BLO for the SIR process, which involves door-to-door verification, deletion of duplicate or dead voters, and addition of eligible names to the rolls. Colleagues told investigators that he had been complaining of “unmanageable workload” and long hours over the past several weeks.
Family members discovered him unresponsive in his room and immediately alerted neighbours, who informed the police. The suicide note recovered from the spot reportedly mentions severe stress related to BLO duties. However, it is the video recorded by Singh that has left the family and local administration shaken. In the emotional footage, Singh appears distressed, speaking haltingly as he tries to articulate the weight of the pressure he had been facing. At one point, his voice breaks as he says: “Amma… main jeena chahta hoon. Par main thak gaya hoon. Mujhse ab yeh sab nahi ho raha.” (“Mother… I want to live. But I am exhausted. I can’t do this anymore.”)
The video, now part of the police investigation, underscores the extreme psychological strain under which he had been working. Police said a case has been registered and further inquiries are underway. “We are examining the note, the video, and statements from family members. The exact sequence of circumstances will be established after a detailed probe,” an officer said.
Singh’s death comes amid rising concerns over the impact of the SIR exercise on ground-level election workers across multiple states. In West Bengal, the revision drive has already triggered political confrontation after reports emerged of BLOs collapsing during field duty, allegedly due to overwork and inadequate training. According to various local accounts, close to 40 deaths - including BLOs and citizens involved in documentation processes - have been linked to the SIR exercise across districts, though official figures remain contested. At least 4 BLOs have died in West Bengal - two died by suicide accusing the ECI - families of all four have alleged ‘inhuman’ work pressure from ECI as the reason behind their deaths.
Similar reports of stress-linked health emergencies, accidents and sudden collapses among officials have also surfaced from states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of rushing the revision exercise without adequate manpower or logistical preparedness, while government-affiliated groups argue that the clean-up of electoral rolls is essential ahead of the upcoming elections.
Back in Moradabad, Singh’s family is demanding accountability and compensation. Relatives say he was working long hours, often leaving home before sunrise and returning late at night, driven by fear of departmental action for delays. “He kept saying the pressure was too much,” a family member said. The district administration has assured a thorough investigation and said the matter will be conveyed to the Election Commission.
