Boat carrying election materials sinks in river

Ballot papers and other election materials for two polling centres in Faridpur upazila of Pabna were damaged as the boat carrying the materials sank in the Boral River yesterday.

The accident has made voting in today's union parishad elections uncertain in Ratanpur Government Primary School centre and Bilchakand Primary School centre in the upazila.

Habibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Faridpur Police Station, said the election materials, including ballot papers, were being taken to the polling centres from the upazila headquarters when the boat sank at Bonwarinagar Ghat.

Around 25,000 ballot papers and other election materials were damaged, the OC added.

Md Saiful Islam, district election officer, said the Election Commission has been informed about the matter.

"We are trying to arrange ballot papers and election materials to hold the election," the election officer added.

Away in Sherpur, at least 15 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of two chairman candidates in Chandrakona union under Nakla upazila of the district on Tuesday night, reports our correspondent.

Locals said the trouble began at around 10:00 when AL rebel candidate Kamruzzaman along with his supporters went to Boliwadi village to woo voters. AL candidate Saju Sayeed Siddiky's men riding 10 to 15 motorbikes reached the village and attacked Kamruzzaman and his men, prompting them to retaliate.

Being informed, law enforcers from Nakla Police Station went to the village and dispersed the clashing groups. The injured were taken first aid at local clinics.