Protests Erupt in West Bengal Over Electoral Roll Revision

Protests erupted in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district as demonstrators vandalized the block development officer's office amid hearings for the electoral roll revision. The unrest resulted in injuries to police personnel and the detention of several individuals. With the electoral roll revision process ongoing, concerns are rising about the potential exclusion of eligible voters. This incident follows similar protests in other regions, highlighting tensions surrounding the electoral process as the state approaches upcoming Assembly elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 21:01 IST

Violence Erupts at Goalpokher-II BDO Office

The block development officer's office in Goalpokher-II, located in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal, faced vandalism on Thursday. Demonstrators set fire to documents and other materials outside the office during protests against the ongoing hearings related to the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

According to the district's Superintendent of Police, Jobi Thomas, authorities have detained ten individuals in connection with the unrest.

During the incident, six police officers sustained injuries, with two requiring hospitalization.

The draft electoral rolls for the state were released on December 16, revealing that over 58 lakh voters had been removed due to being marked as deceased, relocated, or absent. Additionally, 31 lakh voters were classified as 'unmapped,' meaning they were not listed on the 2002 rolls from the last revision.

The current revision process is in the claims and objections phase, where unmapped voters are invited for personal hearings.

The second phase of hearings is taking place across 294 Assembly constituencies and is set to continue until February 7, with a final electoral roll expected to be published on February 14.

As part of this initiative, the block development officer has been sending notices to voters regarding their hearings.

On Thursday, approximately 500 hearings were scheduled post 11 am, with around 50 to 60 individuals arriving at the office for their appointments.

A complaint lodged by the Block Development Officer at the Chakulia police station indicated that a group of about 300 people forcibly entered the office, causing damage to furniture, electronic devices, and official documents. They also set fire to files and other materials after removing them from the premises.

Thomas noted that the protesters also obstructed the road in front of the office.

“We attempted to clear the blockade,” Thomas stated. “However, the crowd became aggressive and attacked the police, prompting us to use lathi charge to disperse them.”

This incident followed an assault on a block development officer in Farakka, Murshidabad district, during protests related to the voter roll revision.

In Farakka, a group reportedly threw chairs at the officer after storming into his office and attempting to ransack it. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with that incident.

West Bengal is anticipated to hold Assembly elections in the next three to four months.

In addition to West Bengal, the special intensive revision of electoral rolls is also taking place in 11 other states and Union Territories.

In Bihar, where the revision was completed ahead of the Assembly elections in November, at least 47 lakh voters were excluded from the final electoral roll published on September 30.

Concerns have been raised in Bihar regarding the potential removal of eligible voters from the electoral rolls.