West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made an urgent appeal to the Election Commission of India, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. This dramatic move comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a Booth Level Officer died by suicide, an event the CM directly links to the extreme pressure of the accelerated revision process.
A System Under Extreme Duress
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on November 21, 2025, Banerjee outlined her grave concerns. She described the entire exercise as "unplanned, chaotic, and dangerous," highlighting a critical lack of basic preparedness and clear communication that has plagued the process from its inception.
The core of her argument rests on the compressed timeline of the revision. A task that traditionally spanned three years is now being forced into a mere three months. This drastic compression, according to the Chief Minister, has created unbearable working conditions for the officials on the ground.
The Human Cost of Administrative Pressure
The situation escalated tragically with the death of an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri. The official reportedly died by suicide, with Banerjee stating it was under "crushing SIR-related pressure." She emphasized that this is not an isolated case, noting that several other officials have lost their lives since the revision process began.
"BLOs are now operating far beyond human limits," Banerjee stated, pointing to the "inhuman workload" they are being subjected to. The repercussions extend beyond the administration, with the CM asserting that the common people are now living under a "shadow of fear and uncertainty" due to the manner in which the exercise is being conducted.
An Appeal for Immediate Intervention
Banerjee's letter serves as a formal plea to the ECI to intervene and stop the revision process immediately. She has repeatedly flagged these issues, but the human cost has now become, in her words, "unbearable." The situation in West Bengal presents a significant challenge to the electoral machinery, raising serious questions about the balance between administrative deadlines and the welfare of the personnel tasked with executing them.
The ball is now in the Election Commission's court to address these allegations and decide on the future course of the Special Intensive Revision in the state.
