Delhi Congress writes to LG, EC seeking relief for poll workers deployed for SIR

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav on Saturday urged authorities to reduce the workload of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) carrying out the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, expressing concern over alleged violations of their rights due to dual responsibilities.

In a letter addressed to Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Ashok Kumar, Yadav said that teachers and government staff assigned BLO duties are under "tremendous pressure" while managing both academic and administrative responsibilities.

"Government employees, especially teachers working as BLOs, are under immense mental stress due to excessive workload and tight deadlines, and their working conditions must be made manageable," Yadav said.

He claimed that several reports have mentioned serious health consequences among the BLOs involved in the exercise across the country, including deaths due to stress. He cautioned that the BLOs in Delhi could face similar risks if corrective steps are not taken.

"Making BLOs work on holidays and under the threat of punitive action like FIRs is a violation of their rights and is pushing them towards mental and physical distress," he added.

Yadav also noted that the pressure of SIR duties was affecting regular teaching and administrative work, and called for immediate intervention to ensure a "smooth and humane" system for those involved in the electoral process.