Booth-Level Officer Attempts Suicide Over Electoral Roll Pressure in Serampore
A booth-level officer (BLO) in Serampore attempted to take his own life by jumping into the Hooghly river from a passenger ferry on Saturday morning, citing overwhelming stress from electoral roll duties. The 54-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Qayamuddin, was rescued by swift action from ferry staff and nearby boat workers, but the incident has sparked a significant political controversy.
Dramatic Rescue on the Hooghly River
Around 11:30 am, Qayamuddin was traveling on a crowded ferry from Serampore Ferry Ghat to Barrackpore Ferry Ghat in North 24 Parganas. He left his mobile phone and a bag filled with Special Intensive Revision (SIR) documents on the vessel before suddenly leaping into the river. A ferry ghat worker named Bablu, along with several others, immediately jumped into the water and rescued him with the assistance of a passing boat.
"The passenger suddenly jumped into the river. We managed to save him and later learned that he is a BLO," Bablu recounted. Serampore Police promptly took Qayamuddin to a local hospital and informed his family about the distressing incident.
Pressure from Electoral Roll Digitalisation
Qayamuddin, a resident of Titagarh and the teacher-in-charge of a school in Kanchrapara, oversees a booth with 1,245 voters. He later explained that his suicide attempt stemmed from immense pressure related to the digitalisation process of electoral rolls. He claimed he is not digitally proficient and had repeatedly informed Election Commission (EC) officials about his difficulties, but received no relief.
"I could no longer handle the pressure of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls," Qayamuddin stated. He described facing mounting problems day after day while trying to perform his assigned duties, which ultimately led to his desperate act.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The incident quickly escalated into a political row, with local leaders pointing fingers at election authorities and political parties. Santosh Kumar Singh, councillor of ward 7 and Serampore Town Trinamool president, launched a scathing attack on the EC and the BJP.
"The EC is harassing people by rushing the SIR process. Mohammad Qayamuddin is not digitally savvy, yet he was pressured into this work. Even though many voters were already mapped, they were still called for hearings," Singh asserted. He added that the BJP was responsible for the undue pressure on BLOs, intensifying the debate over electoral roll management and worker welfare.
This event highlights critical issues in the electoral system, including the challenges of digital transition and the mental health of frontline election workers. Authorities are now under scrutiny to address these concerns and prevent similar incidents in the future.
