Kolkata, 07 January (H.S.) : A Booth Level Officer (BLO) died in Malda in the early hours of Wednesday, triggering allegations that excessive work pressure led to her death. The deceased has been identified as Samprita Chowdhury Sanyal. Her family claimed that despite prolonged illness, the workload related to the SIR process continued unabated, worsening her condition. Soon after the incident, a local councillor visited the bereaved family, while the issue sparked political exchanges.

Samprita Chowdhury Sanyal was a resident of the Phulbari Pakurtala area under the Englishbazar Municipality. She worked as an ICDS employee and was assigned BLO duties for Booth No. 163 under Ward No. 15 of the municipality.

According to her husband, Samprita had been unwell for several days. She had consulted a doctor, who advised complete rest. However, the pressure of SIR-related work remained intense. Amid severe cold conditions and continuous fieldwork, her health deteriorated further. She passed away suddenly on Wednesday morning.

After receiving the news, Trinamool Congress councillor Gayatri Ghosh from Ward No. 15 rushed to the deceased’s residence. She alleged that excessive workload imposed by the Election Commission was making BLOs increasingly ill, with serious and even fatal consequences.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, rejected these allegations. Ajay Gangopadhyay, president of the BJP’s South Malda organisational district, said that while every death is tragic, it would be inappropriate to hold the Election Commission responsible for all such incidents. He claimed that pressure is also exerted on BLOs by Trinamool leaders and local public representatives.

The incident has raised broader administrative concerns, reopening the debate on workload, working conditions, and health safeguards for BLOs involved in election-related duties.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh