THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Booth-level officers across Kerala on Monday began a statewide strike protesting the death of Aneesh George, a BLO from Ettukudukka in Payyannur, which employee unions allege resulted from excessive workload during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The boycott, called by the Joint Action Committee of State Employees and Teachers along with the Teachers’ Service Organisation Samara Samithi, will be accompanied by protest marches to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office and district returning officers’ offices.
Union leaders said the Election Commission must be held accountable for what they describe as unreasonable field-level responsibilities imposed on BLOs.
They claim that the current SIR drive has placed unprecedented pressure on ground staff.
Amid the mounting criticism, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, issued a condolence message expressing “profound grief” over the “untimely demise” of Aneesh.