**Aam Aadmi Party Criticizes BJP and ECI Following Tragic Incident in UP**
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a pointed critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) in light of the tragic suicide of a booth-level officer (BLO) in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The party shared a poignant video of the 46-year-old BLO, Sarvesh Singh, who recorded a message expressing his desire to live before taking his own life, attributing his distress to overwhelming work pressure.
In a post on X, AAP highlighted Singh’s emotional plea, stating, “Mom, I want to live, but… This emotional video is of BLO Sarvesh Singh from Moradabad district of UP, who gave up his life due to SIR work pressure.” The party further criticized the ECI, claiming that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is endangering the lives of BLOs, stating, “All kinds of pressure are being put on BLOs. But the Election Commission, working on BJP’s signals, is sitting quietly and watching the spectacle.”
AAP has been vocal against the SIR process since its announcement, taking the issue to the Indian Parliament. Ahead of the Winter Session, MP Sanjay Singh submitted a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha, calling for a discussion on the SIR, the deaths of BLOs, arbitrary voter deletions, and the potential disenfranchisement of citizens, which he argues threatens Articles 14, 21, and 326 of the Constitution.
In his notice, Singh emphasized that the ECI’s ongoing SIR has sparked a nationwide crisis regarding electoral integrity. He pointed out that while the exercise was intended to update electoral rolls, it has led to mass arbitrary deletions and severe procedural violations, causing significant distress among the populace and jeopardizing free and fair elections.
Singh referenced the situation in Bihar, where approximately 6.5 million voters were removed from the rolls, with deletions in some constituencies surpassing previous victory margins. He raised alarms about the targeted disenfranchisement of vulnerable groups, including migrants, women, and minorities, and highlighted the immense pressure faced by BLOs, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 16 officers. Singh concluded that the implementation of the SIR has culminated in a humanitarian crisis.
As the Aam Aadmi Party continues to advocate for electoral reform and the protection of voter rights, the implications of this tragic incident and the ongoing SIR process remain a pressing concern for the integrity of India’s democratic processes.
**FAQ**
**What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process?**
The SIR process is an initiative by the Election Commission of India aimed at updating and cleaning electoral rolls. However, it has faced criticism for leading to arbitrary deletions of voter names and creating undue pressure on booth-level officers.