Dec. 6 (Reuters) - Hopes for an end to pre-election turmoil in Bangladesh dimmed on Wednesday as rival political groups again took to the streets and the country's legal system was virtually paralysed by feuding lawyers.

Here is a chronology of key events in the South Asian nation in the run-up to elections due early next year:

Oct. 28 - Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's mandate ends.

- Three days of rioting following disagreement between political parties over the appointment of a caretaker government leaves 25 dead.

Oct. 29 - President Iajuddin Ahmed is sworn in as head of the caretaker administration; a 14-party opposition alliance led by the Awami League gives him until Nov. 3 to "prove" his neutrality.

Oct. 31 - Iajuddin sacks or transfers 27 bureaucrats.

Nov. 12 - A transport blockade begins as the 14-party alliance steps up its campaign to force the removal of controversial election officials.

Nov. 23 - Chief election commissioner M.A. Aziz, accused by the opposition of bias towards the previous Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, temporarily steps aside; blockade lifted.

Nov. 27 - The election commission sets Jan. 21, 2007, as the date for parliamentary polls but the Awami alliance rejects the schedule.

Nov. 28 - Activists set fire to five election commission offices as the Awami League begins a new campaign to force the removal of election officials.

Dec. 4 - The interim government asks the election commission to set a new election date and clean up the rolls of voters. The blockade is lifted the next day.

Dec. 6 - Rival groups again take to the streets and the country's legal system is virtually paralysed by feuding lawyers.

Source: Reuters