Another Booth Level Officer Dies By Taking Her Own Life Amid Intense Pressure from SIR Duties, Mamata Banerjee Criticises Election Commission

KalimNews, Kolkata, November 22, 2025 : In a deeply tragic incident, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Nadia district, West Bengal, has died by suicide, allegedly due to the extreme stress caused by her duties associated with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The deceased, 53-year-old Rinku Tarafdar, was a para-teacher who had been recently assigned the responsibilities of a BLO in her constituency. She was found dead at her home in Shasthitala, Krishnanagar, on Saturday morning.

Tarafdar's family has claimed that she was overwhelmed by the mental strain of her workload, particularly the digital components of the SIR process, which required technical skills she reportedly lacked. Her relatives said she had struggled with the online tasks involved in the voter roll revision and was fearful of facing punishment for not completing them on time. In her two-page suicide note, Tarafdar reportedly blamed the Election Commission (EC), saying she could not cope with the mounting pressure of her responsibilities.

The note also expressed her fear of being penalised for failing to complete the digital tasks, stating that she did not want to face harassment or imprisonment. “She had completed ninety per cent of the work but could not finish the online part. She feared she would be blamed for the non-completion of the forms and that she might end up in jail,” said her husband, Asish Tarafdar. He also revealed that she had been mentally distressed for days, particularly after being tasked with data entry duties, which she was ill-equipped to handle.

Rinku’s brother-in-law, Abhijit Tarafdar, also expressed concern about the unreasonable burden placed on her, saying she was a part-time teacher with little computer experience. “She was forced into such a huge responsibility without support. The pressure was immense, and she was mentally disturbed,” he said. The family further questioned why a para-teacher and “ordinary housewife” had been assigned such a demanding role without adequate training or assistance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, visibly shaken by the tragedy, lashed out at the Election Commission, raising alarms about the growing number of suicides linked to the SIR process. "How many more lives will be lost? How many more need to die for this SIR? This has become truly alarming!" Banerjee posted on X. She also demanded to know why such intense pressure was being placed on BLOs, asking, "How many more dead bodies shall we see for this process?"

Banerjee’s comments followed closely on the heels of a letter she had sent to the Chief Election Commissioner, in which she had criticised the rushed nature of the voter list revision and called for an immediate suspension of the SIR exercise. She expressed concern over the mental toll the process was taking on BLOs, leading to multiple deaths.

The Election Commission has acknowledged the tragic incident, stating that it had sought an urgent report from the district magistrate to understand the circumstances leading to Rinku’s death. “We have sought a report from the DM on this issue. After receiving the report, the next course of action will be decided,” a senior EC official said.

This incident marks the third reported suicide of a BLO in West Bengal during the ongoing SIR exercise. Earlier this month, two other BLOs—Shantimoni Ekka, 48, from Malbazar, and Namita Hansda, 50, from Purba Bardhaman—were also reported to have died under similar circumstances, with their families alleging that the overwhelming workload was the primary cause of their distress.

The pressure of the SIR duties has led to further outcry, particularly regarding the digital aspect of the revision. BLOs have been tasked with conducting door-to-door visits, collecting forms, and entering data into an online system. This process has proven difficult for many, especially those with limited computer literacy. The tight deadlines, fear of punitive actions for errors, and the constant demands of the job have contributed to growing mental health concerns among those involved.

The political fallout from these deaths has been swift and intense. Kunal Ghosh, a spokesperson for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), sharpened the party’s criticism of the Election Commission, claiming that similar distress was being reported from other states as well. He further accused the EC of mismanagement, which has led to unnecessary pressure on BLOs. "This process has become a death trap for BLOs in Bengal," Ghosh remarked.

In response to the mounting criticism, the TMC has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, alleging widespread irregularities in the SIR process. The party leaders highlighted technical failures, confusion over voter lists, and the extreme pressure on BLOs, all of which they claimed were contributing to the rising mental distress. The party also accused the EC of mismanagement, asserting that the demands placed on BLOs were unrealistic and poorly supported.

The Trinamool Congress delegation’s memorandum claimed that errors in the voter lists—such as the removal of names and incorrect data—were further exacerbating the pressure on BLOs. They demanded an immediate halt to the revision process and a thorough investigation into the causes of the deaths.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised Mamata Banerjee’s stance, suggesting that she was trying to stop the SIR process entirely. BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar questioned the authenticity of the suicide notes and expressed scepticism about the investigation by West Bengal police. He pointed out that suicides linked to the SIR process were being reported only in Bengal, implying that the state’s administration was at fault.

Former Congress state president and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also weighed in, suggesting that BLOs in West Bengal were facing not only pressure from the Election Commission but also political pressure, further exacerbating their stress. "If Mamata Banerjee believes that the EC is to blame, she should take the matter to court or withdraw the state employees," Chowdhury said.

The deaths have raised serious concerns about the mental health and well-being of BLOs involved in the SIR process, with increasing calls for reform. The strain placed on these officers—especially those with limited digital skills—has highlighted systemic flaws, with many questioning whether the process is too rushed and whether adequate support is being provided. As the investigation into Rinku Tarafdar's death unfolds, political leaders and activists continue to call for greater scrutiny of the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. The tragedy has sparked widespread debate over the pressure government employees face in election-related tasks and the potential dangers of overburdening them without adequate resources or training.

In the wake of this latest death, the West Bengal government has sent financial aid to the grieving families. Each family has received a cheque of Rs 2 lakh as a form of compensation, although this gesture has done little to ease the profound emotional toll on the victims’ families. The incident has further stoked public outrage and calls for justice, with many demanding accountability from the Election Commission and the government. Political leaders and civil society groups continue to stress that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of those entrusted with such critical responsibilities.

The issue has also become a point of intense political division, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) calling for an immediate halt to the SIR process and accusing the Election Commission of mismanagement. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised Mamata Banerjee for politicising the issue, questioning the authenticity of the suicide notes, and pointing out that such incidents have not been reported in other states where the SIR process is underway. As the investigation continues, the future of the SIR process in West Bengal remains uncertain, with both political and social pressures mounting for a more compassionate and practical approach to electoral roll revisions.