STAR SPORTS DESK

Based on the investigation report by a five-member committee, the National Sports Council (NSC) dissolved the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) elected body on Tuesday due to systemic irregularities, power abuses, and lack of transparency during the 2025 election.

The key findings and points from the report are as follows:

1. Unethical influence and intervention

Government interference: The committee found that the former Sports Advisor (Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain) and his Private Secretary (Saiful Islam) exerted undue pressure on District and Divisional Presidents to nominate specific individuals as councilors.

Manipulation of adhoc committees: The NSC and the Sports Advisor’s office allegedly altered the structure of local adhoc committees (increasing member numbers beyond the constitutional limit of seven) to include preferred individuals who would then vote for specific candidates.

Targeted nominations:

Specific influence was used to ensure Aminul Islam Bulbul and Nazmul Abedeen Fahim were included in the Dhaka Division and District adhoc committees to secure their councilorship and eventual director positions.

2. Election process irregularities

Deadline manipulation: The deadline for submitting councilor names was extended multiple times without valid reasons, allegedly to allow for the replacement of previously nominated councilors with “preferred” candidates.

Voter list discrepancies: The final voter list was not published on time, and multiple versions were released. Voters from five districts were added to a revised list just days before the election, raising transparency concerns.

Illegal benefits for candidates: The report notes that Faruque Ahmed received illegal benefits, such as his nomination being accepted after the deadline, which compromised the integrity of the election.

3. Misuse of e-voting system

Lack of secrecy: The e-voting process was criticised for lacking privacy. Many voters were gathered at a specific location (Hotel Sheraton, Banani) to cast their electronic votes under the supervision of government officials, which the committee deemed a form of vote rigging.

System design: The committee found that the e-voting system appeared pre-planned and designed to control the election results rather than ensure a fair process.

4. Constitutional violations by the BCB president

Abuse of power: Former BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul was found to have unilaterally nominated 10 former cricketers as councilors.

Constitutional breach: Under Article 93.3 of the BCB Constitution, the president does not have the power to nominate these councilors single-handedly. The committee concluded this was a clear abuse of power intended to influence the election outcome.

5. Lack of cooperation and transparency

Withholding evidence: The BCB CEO and other officials failed to provide audio/video recordings of board meetings despite repeated requests, leading the committee to believe the board was intentionally uncooperative.

Recommended reforms

To prevent future occurrences, the report suggests:

Constitutional reform: Clearly separating executive and electoral functions and forming an independent Governance and Ethics Committee.

Independent Election Commission: Establishing a permanent commission led by retired judges.

E-voting audits: Making third-party security audits mandatory for all electronic voting systems.

Whistleblower protection: Implementing a mechanism to report corruption and rigging safely.

** Visit The Daily Star’s website to read the detailed report on the irregularities found in the last BCB elections