In a heartbreaking incident from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, 46-year-old assistant teacher Sarvesh Kumar was reportedly found dead at his home after days of mounting stress linked to his Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties.

A video, now circulating widely, captures his final emotional message, an apology for not being able to complete the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and a desperate plea for his family to take care of his four young daughters.

His purported last words, filled with fear, exhaustion, and anxiety, have brought into sharp focus the immense, and often invisible, pressure carried by grassroots election workers across the country.

Heavy Toll of SIR Work Pressure

Assigned BLO duty on October 7, Sarvesh Kumar’s responsibilities included door-to-door verification of voters as part of the Election Commission’s critical SIR exercise.

Multiple BLOs nationwide have reported excessive workloads, long hours, and low remuneration amid tight deadlines. There have been multiple suicides in recent months linked to the cumulative stress of the voter list revision process.

Sarvesh’s tragic death shed light on the psychological burden faced by grassroots poll staff and the need for systemic support.

Voices from Family and Officials

Family members expressed heartbreak over Sarvesh’s death and accused election officials of imposing undue pressure leading to his extreme step. In his poignant last video, Sarvesh begged for forgiveness and worried about his children’s future care.

Officials acknowledged the suicide note and confirmed investigations are underway. The District Magistrate praised his work quality and assured assistance to the family. Police expressed commitment to examining all angles to prevent further tragedies among election workers.

What is SIR

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive, door-to-door verification exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and correct voter lists nationwide.

Triggered when the voter rolls have become outdated or contain significant errors, SIR combines full enumeration with summary revisions to ensure the electoral roll includes all eligible citizens aged 18 and above, removes duplicates, deceased voters, and incorrect entries.

The process involves Booth Level Officers visiting every household to verify and collect voter data, aiming to prepare an accurate, inclusive, and error-free electoral roll before major elections. The deadline to fill the SIR form has been extended to December 11 now and is under going in 12 states across the country.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The Logical Indian laments the loss of Sarvesh Kumar and stresses the moral imperative to safeguard the mental health and well-being of election officials critical to democracy.

The Election Commission and authorities must implement reasonable workloads, transparent support systems, and counselling to prevent further psychological distress.

This calls for collective societal awareness and institutional empathy to honour the dedication of poll workers while preserving their dignity and humanity.