Dhaka, 5 February 2026 – In a surprising development at a polling station in the Katherpool area of Old Dhaka, police recovered 152 cricket stamps on Thursday, raising questions over electoral security and possible irregularities. The discovery was confirmed by Mohaiminul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Sutrapur Police Station.
According to police sources, a team, led by a magistrate, launched a late-night raid at around 1:00 a.m. following confidential intelligence suggesting the potential storage of weapons at the voting centre. At the time of the operation, the station was reportedly surrounded by local BNP leaders and activists, complicating the intervention.
During the search, a total of 152 cricket stamps were seized and subsequently brought to the police station for further examination. Investigators are yet to determine how and by whom the stamps were accumulated. Inspector Mohaiminul Islam commented, “We are still assessing whether there is any political motive or influence behind this incident.”
Police reports indicate that the seized stamps were categorised and stored in separate batches, though none of the stamps were linked to other voting paraphernalia. A brief summary of the recovered items is provided below:
| Type of Stamp | Quantity Recovered |
|---|---|
| Cricket Stamps | 152 |
| Other Items (if any) | 0 |
| Total | 152 |
Local residents described the Katherpool polling station as normally peaceful, with such incidents being extremely rare. However, the police and election officials have launched a thorough review of the situation to ensure no electoral malpractice occurred.
Following the operation, security measures at the polling station were significantly reinforced, and the facility was reopened to voters. Inspector Mohaiminul Islam emphasised that future surveillance will be enhanced in coordination with the Election Commission to prevent any recurrence of such irregularities.
The incident has triggered concern among both local political figures and the general public, highlighting vulnerabilities in election management. While the full impact on the upcoming electoral process remains unclear, law enforcement authorities have assured the public that any attempts to compromise law and order or the integrity of the vote will face strict action.
This episode in Old Dhaka underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining transparency and security in voting centres, serving as a critical warning for local administration and law enforcement agencies.