BCB election chief dismisses concerns over Aminul’s role ahead of polls

Mohammod Hossain, head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's newly formed election commission, said he does not believe there will be any influence even if Aminul Islam continues as BCB president during the election.

Aminul, who is currently heading the board, will contest against Tamim Iqbal in what is shaping up to be a political battle more than a cricketing one.

Aminul is expected to run from Dhaka Division, after replacing Mohammad Ashraful as a councillor from the division.

Another BCB director, Nazmul Abedin, who entered the board via NSC, is now representing a district, while the two vacant NSC seats are expected to be filled by Aminul loyalists.

The presidential election will ultimately be decided by votes from the 25-member board.

It is understood that Aminul, backed by the government in his bid against Tamim, is using all his influence to retain his position as BCB president. Meanwhile, Tamim has called for Aminul (Bulbul) to step down from the presidency to ensure a level playing field.

The election will proceed as scheduled on October 4. "That is BCB's decision (extending deadline for submitting councillorship form). Our work starts after they prepare a draft list of councillors and give it to us. They have done that for their own official purpose. But for that reason, the election date will not be hampered in any way. The election will be on 4 October while the election process will start from September 20," said Hossain.

Asked if Aminul remaining as BCB president could impact the polls, he dismissed the concern. "That is his personal matter (whether he will stay as BCB president or not during election). Since the rule is that the old committee will hand over to the new committee, until the new committee is formed, the old committee is supposed to remain. According to their Articles of Association or constitution, there is no bar that the former president cannot contest in the new election. I do not know his decision personally. I am only stating the legal position, as I am a lawyer," he said.

"You will see in any association – whether a trade organization or a federation – that before the election, the old committee does not resign. That committee remains, and the Election Commission conducts the election. The entire procedure of the election is in the hands of the Election Commission. In this process, the president or old committee has no function," he added, stressing that the commission holds "supreme power."

"There won't be any interference (even if Aminul remains as BCB president during election) as the Election Commission continues to work in its own way," Hossain said. "Whoever submits valid nomination papers, valid voters, and are qualified to be candidates, can contest. There is no problem."