For decades, the Election Commission of India enjoyed an unquestioned reputation around the world. In recent years, however, its credibility has not remained as strong as it once was among democratic nations. India, which records the highest voter turnout on the planet, is unique in that its governments are chosen entirely through citizens’ votes. With nearly 980 million voters more than the population of most countries the task of managing such a vast electorate is immense. This is precisely why many advanced democracies have examined India’s electoral model. A defining feature of India’s election system is that every adult citizen, regardless of caste, class, religion, or community, has the right to vote. This universal suffrage is not a trivial matter; it was this right, Gandhiji believed, that made every Indian capable of shaping the nation’s future.
In a democracy, the value of a vote is immeasurable. The Election Commission’s central responsibility is to motivate citizens to participate in large numbers so that any government formed truly reflects the people’s mandate. The framers of our Constitution created an Election Commission that was independent and autonomous, ensuring that no ruling party could influence the country’s political processes. To preserve the integrity of elections, the Commission was entrusted with full control over their administration. Another key obligation of the Commission is to keep voter rolls updated in step with India’s expanding population. For this purpose, the voter list is revised every year. However, ahead of the Bihar elections, the Commission opted for an extensive revision of the rolls a decision that was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court.
The country’s highest court will decide whether conducting a thorough revision is constitutional. While the court debated this matter, the Bihar elections were held, and the Election Commission subsequently ordered a thorough revision in 12 states. This exercise is currently underway in full swing in all these states, including three Union Territories. The Election Commission employs state government employees, most of whom are government school teachers. These employees check voter lists at the block level and verify voter names. They are known as BLOs. Reports are emerging from the 12 states where the revision is underway that some BLOs are committing suicide due to the immense workload. If media reports are to be believed, 14 BLOs have already committed suicide in five states: West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
This is a very serious matter that the Election Commission, as well as state governments, should address and review the responsibilities placed on BLOs. The Election Commission has issued an order that the first phase of the revision must be completed by December 4th. This means that BLOs must finalize the accounts of every adult voter in their area by December 4th. This task, while simple, is equally difficult to perform, as BLOs must answer every question raised by the public. BLOs are mostly teachers and are responsible for ensuring that their revisions are completely accurate. This process requires thorough verification of all voters. In Nadia district, West Bengal, a 53-year-old BLO committed suicide due to workload.
According to her family members, the workload was so overwhelming that she lost her mental control. Similarly, a BLO in Gujarat’s Tapi district died of a heart attack last Thursday. Two other BLOs in the state had previously lost their lives in similar incidents. Last week, two BLOs died in Madhya Pradesh. Their families also complained of excessive workload. It is the Election Commission’s duty to investigate the true cause of death of all these BLOs and to understand whether workload was the driving force behind their suicides. The Commission has requested a report on the suicide of a BLO in West Bengal, but has not yet taken cognizance of similar incidents in other states. It is crucial that the Election Commission take a high-level decision in this regard and assign additional staff to BLOs.
