A court in Bangladesh has remanded former Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in custody for four days over allegations of election rigging in favour of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.
Huda, 77, was detained on Monday following a dramatic turn of events the previous day when a mob stormed his residence, assaulted him, and handed him over to police. Authorities placed a helmet on Huda for protection as he was brought to court.
The arrest follows a case filed by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accusing Huda and several other former election officials of manipulating past polls to keep Hasina in power. Hasina’s 15-year rule ended in August 2024 after a student-led uprising forced her from office.
Interim leader Mohammed Yunus has pledged to restore democracy and announced general elections will be held by April 2026. His government says the extended timeline is necessary to reform key democratic institutions that were weakened during Hasina’s tenure.
Hasina, also 77, remains in self-imposed exile in India and faces multiple charges including crimes against humanity. She has so far refused to return to Dhaka, and her trial is proceeding in absentia.
Huda, 77, was detained on Monday following a dramatic turn of events the previous day when a mob stormed his residence, assaulted him, and handed him over to police. Authorities placed a helmet on Huda for protection as he was brought to court.
The arrest follows a case filed by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accusing Huda and several other former election officials of manipulating past polls to keep Hasina in power. Hasina’s 15-year rule ended in August 2024 after a student-led uprising forced her from office.
Interim leader Mohammed Yunus has pledged to restore democracy and announced general elections will be held by April 2026. His government says the extended timeline is necessary to reform key democratic institutions that were weakened during Hasina’s tenure.
Hasina, also 77, remains in self-imposed exile in India and faces multiple charges including crimes against humanity. She has so far refused to return to Dhaka, and her trial is proceeding in absentia.