UP Member Attacked After Voting

An elected Union Parishad (UP) member was seriously injured in a machete attack while returning home after casting his vote in Taltali upazila of Barguna district on Thursday afternoon (12 February). The victim, Ali Ahmed Faraji, a ward member from Ward No. 7 of Barabagi Union, was assaulted in the Panjarabhanga area shortly after leaving the Kazir Khal polling centre. He was first taken to the Taltali Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, where he remains under specialist care.

According to local residents and preliminary police accounts, Mr Faraji voted at the Kazir Khal Government Primary School centre at around 3:00 pm and set off for home on a motorcycle. As he reached Panjarabhanga, two local men—identified as Saidul, son of Jabbar Gazi, and Riyad, son of Jafar Gazi—reportedly intercepted his motorcycle, forced him to stop, and attacked him with sharp weapons. The assault caused severe bleeding and multiple injuries, prompting bystanders to rush him to the nearest health facility.

Medical staff at the Taltali Upazila Health Complex provided emergency treatment before referring the patient to Barishal for advanced care. Dr Md Rakibul, who attended the victim, said that the injuries were serious and required hospitalisation at a tertiary medical facility. Hospital sources indicated that Mr Faraji was conscious upon arrival but in significant pain, and doctors were conducting further examinations to assess the extent of internal injuries.

Police said the attack occurred at some distance from the polling centre and did not disrupt the voting process at the location itself. However, the incident has raised concerns about the safety of candidates, representatives and voters during election periods, particularly in rural areas where personal rivalries and local disputes can spill over into violence. The Officer-in-Charge of Taltali Police Station, Asadur Rahman, confirmed that a team had been dispatched to the scene and that efforts were under way to determine the motive behind the assault. “We are gathering statements from witnesses and examining whether the incident is linked to electoral tensions or a separate personal dispute. Legal action will be taken once the investigation progresses,” he said.

The Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Zahidul Islam, stated that the administration had been informed and that officials were being deployed to monitor the situation. He added that the victim’s family would receive full assistance should they choose to file a formal complaint.

Local community leaders condemned the attack and urged authorities to strengthen security arrangements around polling centres and along routes commonly used by voters and representatives. They warned that isolated incidents of post-voting violence, if left unchecked, could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and discourage civic participation.

Key Facts at a Glance

Authorities have indicated that additional patrols may be deployed in sensitive areas to prevent further incidents as the post-election period unfolds.