Electoral Officer Assaulted During Voter List Revision in Chhattisgarh: Growing Concerns for Officials' Safety

A booth level officer was assaulted in Raipur during voter list revision duties.

A concerning video has gone viral showing a Booth Level Officer (BLO) being physically attacked and verbally abused in the Kali Mata ward of Raipur. This incident has sparked significant worries about the safety of officials engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for voter lists.

According to reports, the confrontation took place on Saturday when a woman became aggressive toward the BLO. In the footage, the woman can be seen shouting at the officer, using offensive language, and then physically assaulting her.

The altercation reportedly began when the woman insisted that the BLO deliver the SIR verification form directly to her residence. When the form wasn't delivered within her expected timeframe, she allegedly began verbally abusing the officer before escalating to physical violence.

The video also shows the woman slapping a male bystander who attempted to intervene in the situation.

Despite the serious nature of this incident, authorities have not yet registered a police complaint.

This event appears to be part of a concerning pattern. Previously, another BLO working in Raipur's Mahant Laxmi Narayan ward reported being threatened by a BJP councillor during similar voter list verification activities. Election officials have increasingly voiced concerns about growing hostility and pressure they face during this intensive, time-sensitive revision process.

The Election Commission of India reports that Chhattisgarh has 2,10,68,201 printed counting forms, with 99.61% already distributed. Overall, 1.7738 crore forms (83.55%) have been distributed during the revision process, highlighting the extensive workload and subsequent pressure facing BLOs throughout the state.

In a related development concerning the SIR process, former CPI MLA from Konta, Manish Kunjam, has approached the Supreme Court with concerns that numerous tribal voters might be removed from electoral rolls.

Kunjam, who also serves as convenor of the Bastariya Raj Morcha, has argued that the SIR process presents significant challenges for vulnerable tribal communities in the Bastar region.