Questions about rising BLO deaths: Pressure behind heart attacks and suicides
Lifestyle: Booth Level Officers (BLOs) play a crucial role in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. They update voter lists, verify voter ID cards, and perform other responsibilities related to voting in their constituencies. However, recent reports from many parts of the country indicate that BLOs are constantly working under stress and pressure, which is seriously affecting their health and mental well-being. In some cases, tragic incidents such as heart attacks and suicide have also been reported.
Increasing Work Pressure
The work of BLOs is not limited to elections. They are required to update voter lists throughout the year, collect information door-to-door, address voter complaints, and comply with Election Commission directives. Furthermore, during elections, they are required to work day and night without rest.
Several BLOs shared with the media that they often have to work amid social, political, and administrative pressure. Sometimes, they have to decide on controversial voter cases, which exposes them to the anger of both political parties and the local public.
Impact on Mental Health
According to experts, the constantly stressful environment, heavy workload, and lack of adequate rest are affecting BLOs both mentally and physically. Working under constant pressure has led to anxiety, depression, and insomnia. BLOs often feel that if they make a mistake, their responsibility will be questioned.
Mental health experts say that prolonged stress and fear puts pressure on the body. This increases the risk of heart attacks, and in severe cases, can lead to suicide.
Ayurvedic Remedies
Heart Attack and Suicide Cases
In the past few months, there have been reports from several states that BLOs have suffered heart attacks or suicides due to excessive workload and mental stress. For example, reports from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar indicated that some BLOs neglected their health amid election preparations and additional workload.
A senior BLO, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We don’t have adequate healthcare facilities. The workload is so intense that we often forget to pay attention to our health. Mental stress peaks during elections and updating.”
Traditions?
Solutions and Suggestions
Experts and employee organizations say that special steps are needed to ensure the safety and mental health of BLOs. These include:
Workload balance and adequate leave.
Counseling and support systems for mental health.
Increasing respect and understanding for the work of BLOs in society and the administration.
Regular arrangements for BLO safety and health checkups by the Election Commission.
BLOs are the backbone of democracy, but the ever-increasing pressure and stress are seriously affecting their health and lives. Incidents like heart attacks and suicides are warnings that if proper care is not taken of BLOs’ work and health, more tragic consequences could occur in the future.
Protecting the mental and physical health of BLOs is as important for the smooth functioning of democratic processes as conducting fair elections. The government and the Election Commission must take immediate steps to ensure a safe, balanced and supportive working environment for BLOs.
