Former Bangladesh Election Chief Arrested for Alleged Poll Manipulation

Arrest of KM Nurul Huda

KM Nurul Huda, the former Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh, was taken into custody on Sunday due to allegations of election manipulation during his time in office. Reports indicate that he was placed in police custody for a four-day interrogation starting Monday.

The arrest stems from a case initiated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The party claims that Huda, along with 18 others, oversaw the general elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 without the consent of the populace.

Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister who secured victories in all three elections, was also mentioned in the complaint, according to a statement from Mohidul Islam, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Prior to his arrest, Huda faced an attack by a mob outside his residence in Dhaka. This incident prompted a statement from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ interim government, urging citizens to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and warning of consequences for those involved in the assault.

Yunus, a Nobel laureate, assumed the role of chief adviser to the interim government after Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5, following extensive protests led by students against her Awami League administration. Hasina had been in power for 16 years before her ousting.