Bangladesh’s Former Election Chief Arrested Over Alleged Poll Manipulation

Former Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh, K. M. Nurul Huda, was arrested in Dhaka on Sunday following a criminal complaint filed by an opposition leader alleging manipulation of past general elections. According to officials cited in a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the case, lodged by a local leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accuses Huda and 18 others, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of conducting elections without a legitimate public mandate in 2014, 2018, and 2024.

BNP Files Case Naming 19 Individuals, Including Huda and Hasina

The first information report (FIR) was filed at Dhaka’s Paltan Police Station and names a total of 19 accused. The BNP claims that during the three national elections under scrutiny, the then-Election Commission, headed by Huda, systematically suppressed voters’ rights, tampered with electoral rolls, and coordinated with the ruling Awami League to engineer favourable results. As confirmed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials in statements reported by PTI, these actions are now under criminal investigation, with Huda as the primary accused.

Mob Assault Preceded Arrest in Dhaka’s Uttara Area

Earlier in the day, dramatic scenes unfolded outside Huda’s residence in Uttara, a neighbourhood in the capital. As reported by PTI, a crowd of angry individuals gathered at the premises, dragged the 77-year-old former official from his home, and publicly humiliated him. Eyewitness videos circulated online showing Huda being pelted with eggs, garlanded with shoes, and verbally abused. Police from Uttara West Station arrived shortly after being alerted and rescued Huda from the mob. He was then taken into protective custody to prevent further escalation.

Transferred to Detective Branch Custody for Overnight Holding

Following his rescue and formal arrest, law enforcement transferred Huda to the Detective Branch office in Dhaka. A senior officer quoted in the PTI report stated that he would be presented before a magistrate on Monday to face judicial proceedings. The charges relate to the alleged abuse of constitutional office, manipulation of democratic processes, and collaboration with political entities to suppress electoral transparency.

Government Condemns Violence, Pledges Legal Action Against Mob

The public assault on Huda drew immediate condemnation from Bangladesh’s interim government. In an official statement referenced in the PTI article, the administration led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus strongly criticised the mob attack, warning that citizens must not take the law into their own hands. “The mob-created unruly situation and the physical assault on the accused have drawn the government’s attention. The government urges citizens not to take the law into their hands,” the statement read. Authorities have launched an inquiry to identify those involved in the assault and stated that legal measures will be taken.

Backdrop of Political Transition and Rising Accountability

Huda’s arrest is seen in the broader context of political change in Bangladesh. The Awami League-led government of Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign in 2024 amid widespread protests and allegations of authoritarianism. The current interim administration has signalled a policy shift toward transparency and institutional accountability. According to analysis from PTI, Huda’s arrest marks the first time a former Chief Election Commissioner has been detained on charges linked to election manipulation—a development that could significantly impact the country’s electoral legacy.

Long-Standing Allegations of Corruption During Huda’s Tenure

Even before Sunday’s arrest, Nurul Huda’s time as Chief Election Commissioner had been the subject of criticism. In 2020, a group of 42 eminent citizens filed a petition to the President demanding that the Supreme Judicial Council investigate the Election Commission for alleged corruption. As covered in PTI reports from that period, the complaints involved unauthorised use of funds, irregular recruitment, improper procurement of electronic voting equipment, and falsified project expenses. Despite the seriousness of those allegations, no formal criminal action was taken at that time.

Public Reaction and Political Implications

The videos of Huda’s assault drew widespread attention on social media, fuelling public outrage and political debate. While some condemned the mob violence, others argued that the arrest was a long-overdue step toward restoring electoral credibility. The interim government has appealed for calm and reiterated that justice will be served through legal institutions, not through street-level retribution. PTI’s local correspondents noted that the mood in Dhaka remains tense as supporters from both political camps watch the unfolding situation closely.

Next Steps in Legal Proceedings

Law enforcement confirmed that Huda will be produced before a magistrate on Monday morning. Officials told PTI that the court will determine whether to grant bail or order continued custody during the investigation. Meanwhile, the BNP is calling for the arrest of all 18 remaining accused named in the complaint, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, though no warrants have yet been issued for those individuals.

As the case proceeds, observers within Bangladesh and abroad are monitoring whether this arrest signifies a broader shift in the political culture toward accountability. For now, Nurul Huda remains in custody, facing the first legal reckoning of its kind in the history of the country’s Election Commission.