A shocking incident from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has raised concerns about the safety of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) working during the ongoing voter list revision. A woman was seen verbally abusing and physically attacking a poll officer, leading to widespread outrage online.
Argument Turns Into Assault During SIR Verification
The incident happened in Kali Mata ward during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.
According to officials, the woman had demanded that the BLO deliver the verification form directly to her home. When the form did not reach her at the time she expected, she allegedly lost her temper.
Witnesses said the woman shouted at the officer, used abusive words, and then hit her. A man who tried to stop the argument was also slapped.
Video Goes Viral, Exposes Pressure Faced By BLOs
A video of the confrontation started circulating on social media, showing the officer trying to calm the situation while being verbally and physically attacked.
This incident has added to growing concerns shared by many BLOs, who say they face extreme pressure, long working hours, and increasing hostility from citizens during the revision process.
No Police Complaint Filed Yet
Surprisingly, even after such a serious attack, no official police complaint has been filed.
Officials say many BLOs avoid filing cases because they fear backlash from local residents or political pressure.
Not The First Time BLOs Were Targeted
This is not an isolated incident. Recently, another BLO in Mahant Laxmi Narayan ward alleged that a political leader threatened her while she was carrying out voter verification duties.
Election teams say that thousands of forms must be verified in a short time, putting field workers under heavy workload and public scrutiny.
As per Election Commission data, Chhattisgarh has already distributed over 99% of the printed forms for the revision.
Concerns Raised About Voter Removal
In a related development, former MLA Manish Kunjam has approached the Supreme Court, saying the SIR process may cause many tribal voters in Bastar to be removed from the voter list due to practical difficulties faced in remote areas.
He argued that vulnerable communities might be affected if the verification process is not handled sensitively.
Conclusion
The assault on the poll officer in Raipur has highlighted the growing challenges faced by BLOs during the voter list revision exercise. While the Election Commission continues its massive verification process, incidents like these show the urgent need for stronger safety measures, public awareness, and better support for field workers. The situation also brings attention to deeper issues in the verification process, especially in sensitive regions.
FAQs
What started the argument between the woman and the BLO?
The woman was angry because the verification form was not delivered to her home on time, which led to a heated argument.
Was a police case registered after the assault?
No, a police complaint has not been filed yet.
Is this the only incident reported during the SIR process?
No, there have been other complaints from BLOs about pressure, threats, and misbehavior from citizens and political groups.
What is the SIR process?
SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision, a voter list update exercise carried out by the Election Commission to verify and correct voter details.
Why are tribal voters a concern in Bastar?
Former MLA Manish Kunjam fears many tribal voters may lose their names from the list due to difficulties in completing verification in remote areas.