When are the BCCI elections due?

The BCCI annual general meeting was last held in 2015, and the elections have been due for long. The elections will now be held on October 23.

Why have they taken so long to be held?

The state associations have refused to adhere to the Justice Lodha recommendations. The Supreme Court has made it clear that elections have to be held after the respective state associations get their constitution approved by the Committee of Administrators in accordance with the top court’s judgment dated August 9, 2018.

Why were the state associations resisting the holding of elections?

The state associations wanted various modifications to the Justice Lodha recommendations. Some modifications and clarifications were given by the apex court specifically on the one-state-one-vote and one-member-one-post policy and the cooling-off period.

Some were modified by the Supreme Court, but there were various other legal issues raised by the state units.

What are the compliance measures suggested by the Lodha committee?

The CoA wanted the state units to get their respective constitutions approved by them in accordance with the August 9, 2018, judgment and then get it registered. The CoA also wanted former international players as members in state units in accordance with its directions and to confirm their membership structure in accordance with the judgment.

Which are the associations that have refused to comply?

According to the CoA, only Tamil Nadu and Haryana are non-compliant.

What will be the fate of the CoA after the elections?

The CoA is expected to inform the Supreme Court after the elections are over. Thereafter, a new body will take charge of running of its affairs and the CoA will cease to exist.

What happens to the associations which refuse to comply?

Those who refuse to comply run the risk losing their voting rights. The cricketing activities in those states will not be affected though as the BCCI will form an ad hoc body for the purpose. If any unit holds elections without getting their constitution approvedby the CoA, the polls will be declared null and void.

How much power will the new BCCI president wield? Will he be all-powerful like it was earlier or will the Apex Council, a new concept, cut down his powers?

There’s no clarity on this. Once the new system starts functioning, things will be clear. But the president’s office is expected to enjoy the same powers though the Apex Council will have its say.

Who are the ones in the running to be the new BCCI president?

Rajat Sharma is the front-runner. There’s talk that former BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel may be projected as president by the Srinivasan lobby.

How much of a factor will N. Srinivasan be in the BCCI elections?

If an influential Union minister calls the shots, then it will be difficult for Srinivasan. If not, then the Chennai strongman can mobilise his resources to his advantage.

Will the elections put an end to BCCI’s troubles in the Supreme Court? Or will the complexities trigger fresh legal battles?

Legal battles on certain issues (like the 70-year age cap) can’t be ruled out. But the troublesome phase will hopefully be over since a new dispensation will be in place.