The Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, on Thursday assured that the Election Commission of India is looking into the recent deaths of booth-level officers (BLOs) reported during the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise and assured that the state government will extend support to the affected families.
UP has witnessed multiple cases of suicides and deaths of BLOs and other officials involved in the SIR amid claims of overwork, stress and harassment during the electoral exercise undertaken to revise the voters' lists.
Responding to questions on allegations of mental harassment of BLOs, the deputy chief minister said, "The Election Commission is working on it, and the government stands with the victims and will provide them full support. If there is any specific complaint (of harassment), it will be investigated, and strict action will also be taken."
Previously, while addressing the party leaders and workers at the BJP office in the state, Pathak said the party supports the preparation of a transparent and impartial voter list, and stressed that the hard work of workers for over five years should reflect at the booth level and urged them to assist the EC with sincerity and fairness.
It becomes the responsibility of everyone to ensure that each eligible voter is added to the rolls, the deputy chief minister said, further noting that BJP workers not only engage in political tasks but also perform duties in accordance with the EC's guidelines.
"If our booth is not strong, all our efforts will go in vain," he said.
He then also urged workers to submit forms to identify and remove the names of those "unauthorisedly living in the area as infiltrators,: asking them to ensure the inclusion of the names of youths who have turned 18 and women who have recently moved in after marriage.
Pathak later visited the family of the late father of former state energy minister Ramveer Upadhyay to offer his condolences.
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