Stamped ballots recovered in Rangpur

Six stamped ballots and two seals have been recovered in Pirganj, Rangpur. The recovered ballots include two stamped for sheaf of paddy, two for 'yes' vote and two for 'no' vote. Upon receiving information, Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Popi Khatun visited the spot, where an agitated crowd trapped her for two hours.

The situation calmed somewhat after the UNO gave a written statement confirming receipt of the ballots and seals. With assistance from police administration and local BNP leaders, she was escorted out of the school and into her vehicle. During this time, the agitated crowd vandalised her car. The incident occurred at Hasarpra Government Primary School polling centre in the upazila around 4:30 pm on Monday.

According to sources, several students including teachers of Hasarpra Government Primary School came to the school after vacation in the morning. Around 11 am, Junayed, a class four student, and Nabiul, a class five student, were cleaning papers lying in the classroom. At one point, they noticed six stamped ballot papers in front of an almirah. They informed head teacher Abdul Wadud about the matter. Eventually, other teachers also came to know.

As the news gradually spread in the area, sheaf of paddy workers and supporters gathered at the school field. Upon receiving information, Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Popi Khatun, Upazila Election Officer Azizur Rahman, Thana Officer-in-Charge Sohel Rana and other administration officials arrived at the spot, spreading tension. Over a thousand agitated men and women began assembling at the scene. Women started protesting with raised brooms in processions. They trapped the Upazila Executive Officer.

Upon receiving information, Upazila BNP President Mahmudunnabi Palash came to the school with activists. They attempted to calm the agitated crowd. Later, with assistance from police administration, the trapped Upazila Executive Officer was brought outside. While boarding her vehicle, the agitated crowd vandalised her car.

When contacted regarding the matter, Upazila Executive Officer Popi Khatun said, "I have called a press conference, where I will brief journalists in detail."