Archive · 25 Jan 2026
West Bengal: Protests, Political Tensions Over Voter List Updates
In West Bengal, around 1,000 people protested at Burdwan railway station because they were upset about being repeatedly called for hearings about their voter list details.
They blocked the tracks for half an hour, stopping trains.
The protestors said they had already given all the needed documents but were still being bothered.
A local TMC leader said the protest was a spontaneous outburst of public anger.
Meanwhile, the BJP filed a complaint against a TMC MLA for allegedly disrupting government work.
The TMC is also preparing for the final phase of the voter list update by forming committees to help voters.
The party's leader, Abhishek Banerjee, warned that those who don't work hard during this time might face consequences.
Around 1,000 protestors blocked Burdwan railway station tracks over repeated voter list hearings, disrupting train services for half an hour.
Protestors alleged harassment by the Election Commission, claiming they had already submitted all required documents.
BJP filed an FIR against TMC MLA Manirul Islam for allegedly obstructing government work and disrupting the election process.
TMC formed Vote Raksha Committees at around 80,000 polling booths to assist voters during the final phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Abhishek Banerjee warned TMC MLAs and MPs about the importance of active participation in the SIR process, threatening action for non-compliance.
- Who
- Protestors, TMC, BJP, Election Commission, Trinamool Congress leaders
- What
- Protests over voter list updates, political tensions, formation of Vote Raksha Committees
- When
- Protest on January 19; SIR phase ongoing
- Where
- Burdwan, West Bengal; statewide for SIR
- Why
- Alleged harassment by Election Commission, political motivations, voter list discrepancies
- Incident Date (Protest)
- January 19
- Location (Protest)
- Burdwan railway station
- Number of Protestors
- Around 1,000
- Duration of Disruption
- Nearly half an hour
- MLA Involved in Vandalism
- Manirul Islam (TMC, Farakka)
- BJP FIR Filing
- January 19
- Vote Raksha Committees
- Formed at around 80,000 polling booths
- SIR Phase Remaining
- Around 22 days
Sources
Farakka BDO office vandalism: No FIR against TMC MLA 24 hours after EC deadline
Bengal SIR hearing centre violence: FIR against Trinamool MLA registered after EC warning
Abhishek Banerjee readies TMC for final SIR phase, announces Vote Raksha Committees - Telegraph India
Voters block tracks over SIR, halt train services at Burdwan - Telegraph India
FIR filed against Trinamool MLA after EC warning