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Shamim Osman 'Threatening' Police Official

EC decides not to investigate further

Says it has no jurisdiction, leaves onus on returning officer

Staff Correspondent
The Election Commission (EC) has decided not to investigate further the alleged incident of Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman threatening a police officer during Narayanganj-5 by-election on June 26.
Although an electoral enquiry committee found proof that backs up the allegation, and also recommended further investigation, the EC decided not to proceed with the issue.
The commission now wants the returning officer to shoulder the responsibility of the investigation saying he may take further steps, if he wants to, said EC officials.
Shamim Osman allegedly verbally abused and threatened a police officer, Bashir Uddin, after he had foiled an attempt by Osman supporters to occupy a polling station during the voting hours.
On June 29, the returning officer
appointed by the EC asked the electoral committee to investigate the matter.
In the middle of July, the enquiry committee submitted a report that said it found some proof backing the allegation, but it needed further investigation to be sure and make a decision. Further details of the report were not available.
But, now the EC says it has no legal jurisdiction to investigate the incident.
"We cannot act outside the law. As per electoral laws, we cannot investigate further as recommended by the probe body," Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz told The Daily Star yesterday.
"Now, we will transfer the issue to the returning officer. He will look into the incident. He may take further legal steps or file a case against the accused, if he wants to," said the commissioner.
The commission will send a letter to the returning officer informing him of the decision within two to three days, said a senior assistant secretary of the EC Secretariat.
A deputy secretary seeking anonymity questioned if the commission does not take any action against Shamim Osman, how can an official of the EC Secretariat dare to investigate.
Selim Osman, brother of Shamim Osman, won the by-election, in which huge fake votes were cast by supporters of Selim Osman, according to news reports and election observers.
The constituency fell vacant after their brother Nasim Osman died on April 30.