Election Commission extends date for submitting objections to SIR till January 19

The Election Commission has extended the dates for submitting objections under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls till January 19. Even as protests were reported in different parts of the State over SIR hearing process issues on Friday (January 16, 2026), a Booth Level Officer in Kolkata reportedly found to have died by suicide the day before.

“As per the order of the Election Commission of India, the deadline for submitting forms (Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8) for inclusion, deletion, or correction of names in the electoral roll has been extended from January 15, 2026 to January 19, 2026,” a notification from the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal office, read on Friday (January 16). The last date for submitting the forms ended on Thursday (January 15), after which the extension notice came.

On Friday (January 16), protests erupted in Jaynagar, Shamudragarh, Aamdanga, Dinhata and Diamond Harbour, among others. The protests at Shamudragarh led to the locals blocking trains on its tracks as many scuffled with the police. Locals and political party supporters, citing harassment at SIR hearings, blocked roads in some places and burnt tires in others.

On Thursday (January 15) and Wednesday (January 14), protests against harassment at SIR hearings had turned violent with mobs vandalising government offices. While locals led by a Trinamool Congress MLA attacked a BDO office at Farakka on Wednesday (January 14), a mob vandalised the BDO office at Chakulia in Uttar Dinajpur district on Thursday (January 15).

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari came down heavily on the ruling party for these protests. “The lawlessness on full display since day before yesterday, right from Farakka to Chakulia is spreading like wildfire,” he wrote on X.

Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday (January 16) alleged that at least 82 people have died due the SIR process. “In many places, BLOs are protesting and calling for boycotts due to inhumane work pressure. They are humans and not machines; without training or proper mechanisms, they are being asked to verify the names of 300 people at once. That is why they are calling for boycotts,” he said.

BLO dies by suicide 

On Thursday (January 15) morning, a BLO, identified as Ashok Das, 48, was found dead inside his home in Mukundapur. However, their family did not file a complaint until later in the evening. The BJP shared an audio clip on social media and claimed that Das “was driven to death by suicide due to relentless pressure and intimidation by local TMC leaders”. They also alleged that the threats were not just professional but that Das also lived in the fear of physical violence.

Class 10 admit cards not valid age proof 

In an order published by the EC on Thursday (January 15), the central body also said that Madhyamik (Class 10 State boards) admit cards will not be admissible as document for people in SIR.

“The Madhyamik [Class X] Admit Card is not listed as an admissible document for verification purposes,” the order stated.

However, many in the State do not have birth certificates, especially people who have had home births; they provide Class 10 admit cards as their valid age proof in such cases.

People in distress or having suicidal thoughts can seek counselling by calling the suicide prevention helpline number: DISHA – 0471-2552056, 1056 or any of the numbers found in this link.