BCB Elections on Track for October Despite Constitution Overhaul

Bangladesh's cricket board elections are expected to proceed as planned in October, despite ongoing efforts to revise the organization's constitution.

BCB elections are still set for October © BCB

Asif Mahmud, Bangladesh Youth and Sports Advisor, addressed the situation on Friday, clarifying that while changes to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) constitution are underway, there is currently no intention to postpone the elections.

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.

On June 24, the National Sports Council (NSC) established a committee 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 of Youth and Sports. The committee's composition includes:

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

The committee is mandated to submit its report to the Ministry within 30 working days. The order, approved by the competent authority, is effective immediately and deemed to be in the public interest.

"We are working on the process of changing the constitution," Asif Mahmud told reporters. "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 election's timing is contingent on the constitution amendment process.

"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, suggesting potential consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"We want to conduct the election(BCB) on time," he concluded, reiterating the intention to hold the BCB elections as scheduled.