Cumilla-10: 38 'Dhaner Sheesh' ballots recovered after attempted snatching; 3 detained
The recovered ballots were cancelled in accordance with electoral regulations and stored separately
Law enforcement personnel detained three individuals for attempting to snatch ballot papers at the Chouddadona Government Primary School polling centre in Lalmai upazila of the Cumilla-10 constituency today (12 February).
A total of 38 ballot papers marked with the 'Dhaner Sheesh' symbol were seized, subsequently declared invalid in accordance with electoral regulations, and preserved separately.
Following the incident, voting was temporarily suspended for approximately 90 minutes from 1:30pm before resuming later in the afternoon.
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Presiding Officer Md Amzad Hossain said a group of individuals forcibly entered three polling booths around noon.
"They attempted to snatch ballot papers and stamp them with the 'Dhaner Sheesh' symbol. However, due to the immediate intervention of the officials on duty, no stamped ballots were inserted into the ballot boxes," he said.
The matter was immediately reported to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the assistant returning officer.
Regarding the identity of those involved, Amzad said, "We have been deployed from outside to perform our duties. I do not personally recognise those who entered the centre."
Following the disturbance, members of the security forces promptly arrived and brought the situation under control.
