Stay order reshapes BCB polls field

A fresh twist has surfaced in the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election yesterday after a High Court bench issued a stay order on former president Faruque Ahmed's writ petition challenging the inclusion of 15 clubs in the board of directors' election, scheduled for October 6.

The bench of Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury and Justice Syed Hasan Zobair also issued a rule, asking why the inclusion of these clubs should not be declared illegal given allegations of corruption against them.

"These clubs are currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission; therefore, the court stayed their inclusion," Deputy Attorney General Ershadul Bari Khandaker told The Daily Star, added that while they cannot vote in the upcoming polls, they may appeal to the chamber court against the order.

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The 15 clubs, absent from the draft but later added to the final voter list after EC hearings, now face a race against time to appeal before election day, with holidays and court closures leaving only extraordinary measures as their hope.

The stay order also prevents Israfil Khosru of Axiom Cricketers and Iftekhar Rahman Mithu of Vikings Cricket Academy from contesting, despite both having purchased nomination forms under Category-2, where 12 directors are to be elected.

"I'm really surprised this happened again. I'll consult my lawyers once the courts reopen and act accordingly," Mithu said, hinting that more club candidates may withdraw their forms in protest at what he termed a "mockery election".

Chief election commissioner Mohammod Hossain said his office was not yet formally aware of the court order but stressed they must comply: "We have to proceed by law. If the court cancels their councillorship, we must follow suit."

Hossain confirmed that the nominations of S M Abdullah Al Fuad Redwan and Hasibul Alam had been approved after their hearings satisfied the commission. Redwan, councillor from Jamalpur District Sports Association, is now clear to contest in Category-1 Dhaka Division alongside sitting board president Aminul Islam Bulbul and vice-president Nazmul Abedeen Fahim. Hasibul, representing Rajshahi Divisional Sports Association, will run from Rajshahi Division against Mukhlesur Rahman, S M Shams Motin and Tawhid Tarik Khan.

In contrast, the appeal of Md Sawkot Hossain, councillor of Chandpur District Sports Association and an aspiring director from Chattogram Division, was rejected. "There was a dispute in the signatures of proposer and supporter, and he could not produce them. That's why we rejected his appeal," said the chief election commissioner.

Two directors will be elected from Dhaka Division and one from Rajshahi Division in the October 6 polls.

Hossain added that five appeals were heard on Tuesday; two were granted and three rejected. The final list of candidates will be announced today at 2 pm, while approved nominees may withdraw between 10 am and 12 pm the same day.