Sudden illness: Eight people die in, around polling centres

At least eight people, including a presiding officer, a polling officer, and a member of village police, died after falling ill inside or near polling stations during voting hours in seven districts yesterday.

In Khulna, a BNP leader died after falling ill following an altercation with a Jamaat activist.

The incident took place outside the Alia Madrasa polling centre in the city’s Khan Jahan Ali Road area around 7:45am.

Mohibuzzaman Kochi, former office secretary of BNP’s Khulna city unit, was declared dead on arrival at Khulna City Medical College Hospital.

In a statement, BNP’s city unit claimed Kochi fell ill after he was pushed by the madrasa’s former principal, Abdur Rashid Miah, following an altercation over seeking votes outside the polling station.

Meanwhile, Abdur Rashid admitted to journalists that there was an altercation but claimed he did not push anyone.

Contacted, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Zahidul Hasan said, “We did not see any pushing in the CCTV footage [of the altercation].”

In Kishoreganj, a local resident reportedly suffered a heart attack while he was running away from law enforcers who were dispersing a crowd near a polling station in Bhairab upazila.

The incident took place near Aganagar Dakkhinpara Govt Primary School polling centre around 11:00am.

Razzak Miah, 55, a resident of Dakkhinpara village, was sitting outside a house adjacent to the polling centre after casting his vote, said locals.

Suddenly, a group of law enforcers arrived, began dispersing a crowd that formed outside the centre and charged truncheons at one point, they added.

“Razzak was running and suddenly collapsed on the ground. He was later taken to Bhairab Upazila Health Complex,” said witness Khairul Islam.

There, physician Kishore Kumar Dhar pronounced Razzak dead on arrival. “No injury mark was found on his body. It appears the man died of a heart attack.”

Contacted, Bhairab Upazila Nirbahi Officer KM Mamunur Rashid said, “We heard that Razzak was suffering from heart disease. He might have suffered a heart attack in panic when the law enforcers arrived.”

In Manikganj, an elderly man died after falling ill while waiting in line to cast his vote in Shibaloy upazila.

The incident took place at the Mahadevpur Govt Primary School polling centre around 11:20am, confirmed Presiding Officer Faysal Ahmed.

Babu Mia, 70, a van driver and a resident of Mahadevpur area, arrived at the centre in the morning, collected his voter slip and stood in line to cast his vote.

“He suddenly fell ill, fell on the ground and died on the spot,” said Abdul Mannan, a witness.

In Brahmanbaria, a polling officer suffered a stroke and died while on duty in Sarail upazila, said a physician.

The incident took place at the Syed Sirazul Islam Auditorium polling centre around 7:45am.

Mozahidul Islam, 48, a madrasa teacher, was assigned as the polling officer at the centre.

Presiding Officer Shamim Al Mamun said Mozahidul Islam fell ill soon after the voting began. “At one point, he fell unconscious and collapsed on the ground.”

Later, he was taken to the Sarail Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead, he added.

Mozahidul suffered a stroke and passed away before he was brought to the health complex, said Medical Officer Dr Solaiman.

In Chattogram, a voter fell ill and died while standing in line at a polling centre in the city.

The incident took place around 7:30am at the Kazir Dewri Govt Boys’ Primary School polling centre under the Chattogram‑9 constituency, confirmed Presiding Officer Faruk Ahmed.

Md Monu Mia, 57, worked as a security guard at a shop in Kazir Dewri area.

Witnesses said that shortly after voting began around 7:30am, Monu Mia fell ill while standing in line. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Monu Mia’s son, Md Shakil, said his father could not be saved despite being taken to hospital quickly.

In Mymensingh, a presiding officer and a member of the village police died while on duty at two separate polling centres in Haluaghat upazila.

Rezaul Karim, 48, was serving as an assistant presiding officer at the Darabanni Govt Primary School centre under the Mymensingh‑1 (Haluaghat–Dhobaura) constituency.

He fell ill just before polling began and was rushed to the local upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead, confirmed Returning Officer Saifur Rahman.

Ibrahim Sheikh, 50, a member of the village police, was serving at the Amtail Govt Primary School polling centre under the Mymensingh‑1 seat.

He suddenly fell ill around 3:30pm while on duty. He was rushed to Haluaghat Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

The matter was confirmed in a condolence message issued by the district returning officer.

In Dhaka, a voter died after suddenly falling ill inside a polling centre in Jatrabari.

The incident occurred around 8:30am at Agradoot Vidyaniketan High School polling centre, confirmed Jatrabari Police Station Sub-Inspector Shatarupa Kund.

Abu Sayeed Sarkar, 53, was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead around 10:30am.

His son, Farhan Ishraq said his father collapsed on the staircase while heading up to the booth. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Farhan added that his father had a history of heart disease and had previously suffered a stroke.

[Our correspondents from Khulna, Manikganj, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Chattogram, and Mymensingh contributed to the report.]