Former Bangladesh Election Chief Arrested for Alleged Poll Rigging Amid Mob Assault

Former Bangladesh Election Chief Arrested for Alleged Poll Rigging Amid Mob Assault

Last Updated Jun - 23 - 2025, 05:52 PM | Source : Fela News

K M Nurul Huda, Bangladesh’s former chief election commissioner, was arrested over election manipulation charges after being attacked by a mob outside his home

K M Nurul Huda, Bangladesh’s former chief election commissioner, was arrested on Sunday in Dhaka on allegations of rigging national elections during his tenure in 2014, 2018, and 2024. Police confirmed the arrest was based on a case filed by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which accused Huda and 18 others, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, of conducting elections without a public mandate under the previous Awami League regime. This marks the first known instance of a former CEC in the country being detained over election-related misconduct.

Earlier the same day, 77-year-old Huda was assaulted by a furious mob outside his Uttara residence. Eyewitnesses and video footage circulating online showed the crowd physically attacking him, throwing eggs, and hurling insults while some garlanded him with shoes. Uttara police confirmed that the mob had forcibly dragged Huda out of his house before authorities intervened. He was then taken into protective custody and will be presented in court for legal proceedings. Police said he spent the night at the Detective Branch headquarters.

The assault sparked outrage across social media platforms, prompting an official response from the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. The administration condemned the violence and urged the public not to take the law into their own hands, warning that those involved in mob justice would face legal consequences. This comes amid continued unrest following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year during mass student protests, which led to the arrest or flight of several key Awami League figures and escalated public anger over past governance and alleged electoral fraud.

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