Lucknow: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has termed the deaths of over 25 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during voter list verification duties across the country as a serious constitutional crisis, citing extreme government pressure, unequal work practices, and continuous mental harassment. To honor the deceased officers, AAP organized tribute ceremonies in all districts of Uttar Pradesh under the direction of MP Sanjay Singh.
In Lucknow, the tribute ceremony was held near the Shaheed Smarak, Residency Building, attended by AAP State Spokesperson Prince Soni, District President Iram Rizvi, and a large gathering of party workers and officials, who offered candles in memory of the departed BLOs.
Speaking at the event, Prince Soni said these deaths are not mere accidents but the result of deliberate government policies aimed at pressuring BLOs. He alleged that the Modi government is forcing BLOs to work under inhumane conditions to manipulate the voter list for electoral gains. Soni demanded ₹1 crore compensation for the families of deceased BLOs, immediate government employment for one family member, and a high-level judicial inquiry into the matter. He added that these deaths threaten the foundations of democracy and voter rights and warned that if the deaths continue, AAP will launch statewide protests.
District President Iram Rizvi condemned the deaths, stating that BLOs are dying without proper resources, safety, or humane treatment during “voter list verification.” He said the system treats employees as tools rather than humans and stressed that this struggle is not just for employee rights but for the protection of democracy.
AAP leader Priyanka Srivastava alleged that the SIR exercise is an electoral scam orchestrated in collusion with the Election Commission, disproportionately affecting Dalits, backward communities, and minorities, posing a serious threat to democracy.
The ceremony saw the participation of senior AAP leaders including Prince Soni, Iram Rizvi, Priyanka Srivastava, P.K. Bajpai, Lalit Valmiki, Murtaza, Preetpal Singh Saluja, Balram Sahni, Sudhir Patel, Angad, Deepak, and Aditya Yadav, along with numerous party officials.
