As deaths of booth-level officers (BLOs) in various states have sparked a political row, sources in the Election Commission have said that the panel would sought reports from the chief electoral officers of the states concerned if it was apprised of any case of alleged work-related harassment.

According to media reports, at least five BLOs have died in West Bengal, Kerala and Rajasthan this month, allegedly due to suicide or heart attack. In some of these incidents, the relatives of the deceased have blamed 'excessive work pressure' for their deaths.

All BLOs currently engaged for SIR work across the country are under the control of the poll panel, which is paying them remuneration for their services.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has claimed that 28 lives, in total, had been lost sinc

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