BCB Elections on Track Despite Constitution Overhaul, Official Says

BCB elections are still set for October © BCB

Bangladesh Youth and Sports Advisor, Asif Mahmud, announced on Friday that while work is underway to revise the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) constitution, there are currently no plans to delay the elections scheduled for October.

The BCB previously suspended all activities related to the constitution reform committee, led by director Nazmul Abedin, on January 25, following criticisms.

On June 24, the National Sports Council (NSC) established a committee to formulate recommendations for updating the constitutions and affiliation policies of federations under its purview.

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. Its members include 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, and the Director (Sports) of the National Sports Council, who will serve as Member Secretary.

The committee is required to submit its report to the Ministry within 30 working days. The order, approved by the competent authority, is effective immediately.

"We are working on the process of changing the constitution," Asif Mahmud told reporters on Friday.

He further explained, "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."

However, the Youth and Sports Advisor indicated that the timing of the election would depend on the process by which the constitution is amended.

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

"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," he added.

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