Sikkim Election Office Dismisses Claims Linking Deaths to Roll Revision

Gangtok: Sikkim’s Chief Electoral Officer dismissed claims that two recent suicides stem from the state’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Officials found zero evidence linking the deaths to election duties. The probe followed a Sunday broadcast by Citizen Action Party president Ganesh Rai. He alleged a Booth Level Officer in Pakyong and an elector in Namchi died due to administrative pressure.

Authorities ordered factual reports from the Superintendents of Police in both districts. The Senior Superintendent of Police in Namchi confirmed no reports of a female citizen dying in relation to the revision process. Meanwhile, a team including the Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and Block Development Officer investigated the Pakyong incident. They checked phone records and interviewed relatives.

The Pakyong investigation found no proof of harassment or excessive workload. "Based on the preliminary inquiry, the authorities found no association between the death and duties related to the SIR exercise." A post-mortem report for the official in Pakyong is still pending. The CEO’s office urged the public to wait for official findings before spreading claims about the electoral process.