Former chief election commissioner Shamsul Huda dies at 82

The funeral will be held after his daughter returns from the US, his brother-in-law says

ATM Shamsul Huda, the former chief election commissioner (CEC) who oversaw Bangladesh’s ninth parliamentary election, has died at the age of 82.

He passed away at his residence in Dhaka's Gulshan around 9am on Saturday, according to his brother-in-law Ashfaque Qaderi.

"He was later taken to United Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead," he said.

His funeral and burial will be held after his daughter returns from the United States, Ashfaque added.

Huda is survived by his wife and daughter.

His body is currently being kept at United Hospital.

A former bureaucrat, Huda was appointed as chief election commissioner on Feb 5, 2007, during the caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed.

He served in the role until 2012.

Under his leadership, the Election Commission, assisted by the military, prepared a photo-based voter list, initiated dialogues for electoral law reforms, introduced party registration requirements, and piloted the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

After a long delay, his commission conducted the ninth national election on Dec 29, 2008, with a voter turnout of over 87 percent. In that election, the Awami League won 230 seats, the BNP 30, and the Jatiya Party 27.

The BNP constantly criticised his Election Commission during his tenure.

Following the Awami League's return to power, the caretaker government system was abolished, and a provision was added to the Constitution to form a five-member Election Commission.