Bangladesh Cricket Board Elections Remain on Track Despite Constitution Review

Asif Mahmud, Bangladesh Youth and Sports Advisor, addressed concerns regarding the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections. He stated on Friday that while efforts are underway to revise the BCB constitution, there are currently no plans to postpone the elections slated for October.

BCB elections are still set for October © BCB

Earlier this year, on January 25, the BCB suspended all activities of the previous constitution reform committee, which was led by director Nazmul Abedin, following criticism.

The National Sports Council (NSC) established a committee on June 24 with the mandate to formulate recommendations for updating the constitutions and affiliation policies of federations operating under the NSC.

According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports on June 24, the committee is headed by the Additional Secretary (Sports-1) of the Ministry. The committee's composition includes:

• Sports organizer Md. Zobaidur Rahman Rana
• Deputy Press Secretary to the Hon'ble Chief Adviser Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar
• Barrister Shaikh Mahadi from the Bangladesh Supreme Court
• Retired Lieutenant Colonel Abu Ayub Mohammad Hasan
• Vice President of the Bangladesh Wushu Federation, Habibur Rahman
• General Secretary of the Gymnastics Federation
• The Director (Sports) of the National Sports Council (Member Secretary)

The committee is required to submit its report to the Ministry within 30 working days. The order, deemed to be in the public interest, took immediate effect upon approval by the competent authority.

"We are working on the process of changing the constitution," Asif told reporters. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair process for all involved.

"The decentralization should be done in such a way that it causes no harm to any stakeholders. There should be no harm to those who are contributing to cricket in this process. We want to change the constitution through a constitutional process and proper stakeholders' consultation," he added.

The Youth and Sports Advisor indicated that the election timeline would depend on the method used to amend the constitution.

"It [BCB election] depends on the process, whether it will be earlier or later," he stated.

He further clarified, "So far there is no reason to delay the election. We can't say at this moment what the situation will be in October (whether we can hold the election on time) but we may talk to the ICC if needed."

"We want to conduct the election(BCB) on time," he concluded.