A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader died on Thursday after an altercation inside a polling centre in Khulna during voting hours.
The deceased was identified as Mahifuzzaman Kochi, 58, former office secretary of Khulna Metropolitan BNP. He was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital following the incident, where doctors later declared him dead.
According to witnesses, tensions arose around 9:30am at the Khulna Alia Madrasa Polling Centre while voting was underway. Kochi was present at the centre when a dispute reportedly broke out inside the premises.
During the commotion, he allegedly became involved in a physical confrontation with Md Abdur Rahim Sardar, a Jamaat leader who also serves as principal of the madrasa. At one stage, Kochi fell to the ground and his condition worsened shortly afterward.
BNP leaders and activists claimed that Kochi collapsed after being pushed during the scuffle.
They said he was in critical condition when he was rushed to the hospital.
Police confirmed the death and said investigation is going on.
A senior official of Khulna Metropolitan Police stated that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
“The actual cause will be known after getting the autopsy report,” the official said, adding that legal action would follow if a formal complaint is filed.
Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage and collecting statements from eyewitnesses as part of the investigation.
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