Payyannur, Kerala: In a tragic incident highlighting the pressures faced by election officials, Aneesh George, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) working as a peon in a government school in Payyannur, was found dead in his home on Sunday. Police reports indicate that George was discovered hanging in the hall on the first floor of his residence, with initial investigations suggesting that the pressures of his duties in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls may have contributed to his decision.

Local residents and George’s family alleged that he had been under significant stress due to the SIR-related workload. The BLO role, which requires meticulous updating and verification of electoral rolls, has been particularly demanding in the lead-up to the upcoming local body elections in Kerala. According to an FIR, George had been struggling with the workload for some time, and family acquaintances confirmed that he had been working late into the night, with reports indicating that he was still engaged in SIR-related tasks until around 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Shyam, a family acquaintance, described the deceased as being under immense pressure to complete the SIR documentation and distribute forms across his assigned area. “His family said that Aneesh George was working tirelessly and felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of ensuring that all forms were accurately filled and delivered,” Shyam told reporters.

The incident has drawn attention to the larger debate surrounding the implementation of SIR in Kerala. Major political parties, including the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress, have repeatedly voiced concerns over the strain placed on BLOs and other election officials. CPI(M) leader M.V. Jayarajan expressed grief over the death and reiterated the party’s longstanding warnings about the high work pressure faced by election staff. “Due to the extreme workload, he might have felt that there was no option other than ending his own life. His death is extremely unfortunate,” he said, urging the Election Commission to suspend SIR implementation until the completion of the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) polls.

Congress leader Rijil Makkutty also weighed in, suggesting that George’s death was a consequence of the Election Commission’s rushed implementation of SIR, which he claimed was aimed at fulfilling certain political agendas ahead of the polls.

Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, Rathan U. Kelkar, said that a report had been sought from the Kannur district collector regarding the incident. He added that a police investigation was underway to ascertain the exact circumstances. Kelkar clarified that BLOs are generally required to perform duties connected only to the SIR for a period of 31 days, and under normal circumstances, such tasks should not result in extreme work pressure. “The police investigation and the district collector’s report will bring out all details of the incident,” he said, indicating that the administrative and electoral authorities were closely monitoring the situation.

This incident comes amid widespread concerns in Kerala over the SIR exercise, which involves updating and verifying voter lists to ensure accuracy ahead of elections. While the process is designed to maintain electoral integrity, reports from multiple districts have indicated that the workload on BLOs has been intense, with deadlines and procedural complexities adding to stress levels. Election officials are tasked with conducting door-to-door verifications, updating entries, correcting errors, and distributing forms within tight timelines—a combination that has proven challenging, particularly for personnel handling multiple roles or lacking sufficient support.

The death of Aneesh George has sparked discussions about the human cost of administrative and electoral duties. Experts and activists have called for better support mechanisms for BLOs, including clear timelines, workload management, and psychological counseling, especially in high-pressure periods such as voter revision exercises. They emphasized that while the SIR is a critical part of ensuring democratic participation, the well-being of those implementing it should be a priority.

Local authorities and police are conducting a detailed investigation into the circumstances of George’s death, including whether any procedural lapses, excessive workload, or other contributing factors played a role. The district administration is also expected to review measures to support BLOs and other electoral staff in completing their responsibilities without undue stress.

The tragic event underscores the complex challenges faced by election officials in maintaining the accuracy of electoral rolls while managing personal pressures and workload. As political parties and officials assess the aftermath, there are calls for systemic changes to ensure that no other staff members are placed under similar levels of pressure.

In summary, the death of Aneesh George in Payyannur has cast a spotlight on the pressures associated with the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. While investigations continue, his family, colleagues, and political leaders have highlighted the role of job stress, calling for urgent measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future and to ensure that election officials can perform their duties without facing life-threatening stress.