‘No time to rest’: Overworked Bengal village poll staffer juggles life, SIR as clock ticks

At least five deaths by suicide linked to work stress have been reported since the exercise began in West Bengal.

In the interior of South 24 Parganas district, lies Usthi, beyond motorable roads and reachable only by foot or bicycle. Here, one morning earlier this week, 42-year-old primary school teacher and Booth Level Officer (BLO) Sabeera Khatun was preparing for a day that promised to be long, like many recent days have been. Across West Bengal, the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has placed unprecedented strain on BLOs like Khatun.

Sabeera Khatun, 42, a teacher and Booth Level Officer, works on SIR forms with her daughter Sahieena in Usthi, West Bengal. (HT PHOTO)

At least five deaths by suicide linked