A woman was told her ballot had already been cast. Banani polling paused for 24 minutes

Law-enforcing agencies question whether Aklima’s name might have been used to cast a vote twice

Voting has been suspended for around 24 minutes at a polling centre in the capital’s Banani area after a dispute arose over whether a voter had already cast her ballot.

The incident occurred around 1:15pm on Thursday at the Banani Model School centre when Aklima, a resident of Korail slum, alleged that she had been told inside the polling station that her vote had already been cast.

Emerging from the centre, Aklima repeatedly said she had been informed that her vote was “done”.

Her remarks prompted law enforcing officers to escort her back to Booth No. 1 for clarification.

Officials then noticed a cross mark next to her name on the voter list maintained by a polling agent, triggering confusion and commotion inside the booth.

Presiding Officer Imrose Ahsan rushed to the scene as the disagreement intensified. The dispute led to a temporary suspension of voting at the centre.

Aklima maintained in front of officials and others present that the first polling officer she approached had told her that her vote had already been cast.

However, the polling officer responsible for applying indelible ink said Aklima had not come to her. The officer who issued ballot papers also stated that she had not provided a ballot to the voter.

Members of law-enforcing agencies at the scene questioned whether Aklima’s name might have been used to cast a vote twice.

The presiding officer, however, asserted that Aklima had not taken a ballot paper.

At one point, the magistrate and members of the law enforcing agencies present asked the presiding officer to resolve the matter.

After about 24 minutes -- at around 1:45pm -- Aklima was allowed to cast her vote, and polling at the centre resumed as normal.