BJD demands extension of claims and objections period under SIR by 30 days in Odisha

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has demanded an extension of the claims and objections period under the State Information Regulation (SIR)–2026 by a minimum of 30 days in Odisha, citing the ongoing flooding and heavy rainfall in the region. The BJD argues that the existing workload, numerous notices and cases, and the need to provide adequate opportunities to all involved parties warrant the additional time.

The claims and objections deadline, initially set for August 4, 2026, has already been extended to August 19, 2026 by the Election Commission of India (ECI). However, the BJD contends that the natural calamity has made it difficult for thousands of electors, Booth Level Agents (BLAs), and election officials to verify claims and submit objections in a timely manner.

Many districts are still grappling with heavy rainfall, flooding, and disrupted communication, making it impractical and inequitable to expect voters to attend booths or designated centers within the remaining deadline. The BJD emphasizes that the claims and objections stage serves as a crucial safeguard against the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters from the electoral roll.

They also reiterate previous concerns about the limited number of cases conducted during hearings, with only 142,111 out of 58,36,341 notices reportedly heard as of July 21, 2026. Additionally, 20,32,019 Form 7 applications seeking name deletions have been reported to political parties. The BJD argues that extending the claims and objections period until August 19, 2026 would ensure that genuine electors have the opportunity to protect their electoral rights despite the ongoing flood and heavy rainfall disruptions.