Sitapur: A booth level officer died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district, with family members alleging heavy work pressure linked to the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
The deceased, identified as 30 year old Umesh, lived in Ataria town. He worked as an instructor at Dariyapur pre secondary school. Alongside his teaching role, authorities assigned him duties as a booth level officer during the ongoing voter roll revision exercise.
Police officials said Umesh was alone inside his room at the time of the incident. When the door remained unopened for a long period, local residents informed the police. Officers found the iron door locked from inside. They cut it open and found Umesh hanging from a noose, according to the station in charge of Ataria police station.
Family members said Umesh faced intense pressure due to increased workload during the revision process. They stated he appeared stressed in recent days and struggled to cope with responsibilities assigned to him as part of the exercise.
Police said no case has been registered in connection with the death so far. Officials added the matter remains under review based on available information and family statements.
The incident has drawn attention to the human cost linked to election related duties. Reports indicate at least nine suicides and two deaths due to stroke across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Rajasthan during the electoral roll revision period. Families in several cases have cited work pressure as a contributing factor.
The death in Sitapur adds to growing concerns around workload management and support systems for ground level election staff.
