Sirajuddin Alamgir set to be elected unopposed from Category 3

Thursday was the final day for collecting nomination papers for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections scheduled for June 7, and only one form was bought in Category 3.

That effectively leaves University of Chittagong councillor Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir as the lone candidate from the category, putting him on course to be elected unopposed as a BCB director, subject to the validity of his nomination.

Mohammad Shahriar Hossain Bidyut had initially planned to contest from Category 3 but later told The Daily Star that he was ineligible as he represents the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).

“I saw the constitution and then realised that I am not eligible since a CWAB councillor cannot participate in the election from Category 3,” he said.

BCB Election Commission returning officer Mohammad Taherul Haque Chouhan, additional commissioner (crime and operations) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said 19 nomination forms were collected in Category 1, 19 in Category 2 and only one in Category 3.

Asked whether another candidate could still enter Category 3, Chouhan said there was no further opportunity to collect nomination papers after Thursday’s deadline, ruling out any fresh submissions on Friday.

He, however, stopped short of confirming Alamgir’s unopposed election.

“There are lots of pros and cons, and whether the nomination is valid or invalid -- it’s not the right time to say that,” he said.

A total of 10 directors will be elected from Category 1, 12 from Category 2 and one from Category 3, while two directors will come from the National Sports Council. The 25 directors will then nominate the next BCB president.

May 22 is the deadline for submission of nomination papers, with the Election Commission accepting forms until 5:00 pm on Friday.