Attempt to snatch ballot papers from polling station following cocktail bomb explosion; voting suspended

Bhola, 12 February 2026 — Voting at the Alinagar School and College polling station in Bhola Sadar Upazila was abruptly halted today following a violent incident involving a grenade explosion. The attack occurred on the school grounds, prompting authorities to suspend the electoral process temporarily as security personnel assessed the situation.

According to reports, the incident took place at approximately 12:15 pm, when a group of unidentified individuals detonated a grenade near the polling station. The explosion caused panic among voters and staff, forcing the presiding officer and polling personnel to temporarily close the centre to ensure the safety of everyone present.

Mohammad Omar Faruk, the presiding officer of the polling station, stated that the attackers attempted to enter the centre immediately after the blast and harassed several officials on duty. "They tried to disrupt the voting process, but fortunately, no one was seriously injured, and the attackers were unable to gain significant control inside the centre," he said. He confirmed that voting remained suspended as of 12:45 pm while the situation was being stabilised.

Monirul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Bhola Sadar Model Police Station, added that the intruders attempted to seize ballot papers from the centre. "One individual has been apprehended in connection with the attack," he said. "An executive magistrate is present on-site to oversee proceedings and take appropriate measures to restore order."

Election officials confirmed that enhanced security has been deployed around the centre, including additional police personnel and barricades, to prevent any further disturbances. Authorities are investigating whether the attack was a targeted attempt to manipulate the voting process or to intimidate election staff.

A brief overview of the incident is provided below:

The Election Commission has urged voters in the area to remain calm and warned against spreading rumours about the incident. Local officials are coordinating with law enforcement to ensure that the voting process resumes safely once the centre is secured.

This event marks a concerning escalation of election-related violence in the region, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining security during national voting exercises. Authorities have pledged to intensify monitoring across all polling stations to prevent similar incidents.