DDCA poll officer seeks reply to objections over ‘proxy’ candidates

NEWDELHI:WITH a day to go for the withdrawal of nominations deadline ahead of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) elections, the pressure is mounting on election officer Rakesh Mehta who has received several objections against members putting up relatives or having conflict of interest.

Mehta has sought replies and undertakings from officials against whom complaints have been made. DDCA is holding its first elections after Lodha recommendations were brought in.

Many officials stand ‘disqualified’ according to Lodha guidelines but they are still trying to retain hold on DDCA affairs through relatives. There are others who are trying to find loopholes in the recommendations and stay relevant.

“Already 4 to 5 candidates have withdrawn due to conflict of interest. However, these are not for the top posts. We have as many as 112 candidates fighting for 12 posts,” he said. Many of these candidates are either spouses, sons or brothers.

Wednesday is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. The list will be finalised on Thursday.

Former India all-rounder Madan Lal, a presidential candidate who also heads a cricket academy, has given in writing that he would quit coaching if elected.

However, there are others like BCCI acting-president CK Khanna, who has controversially fielded his wife’s candidature for the vice-president’s post as he is not eligible to contest. Khanna has said he will not quit as legally there is nothing wrong in husband and wife holding posts simultaneously. However, he has been asked to provide a reply to conflict of interest.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME A CRICKET BODY ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD THROUGH ELECTRONIC VOTING.

ELECTRONIC VOTING

Meanwhile, this will be the first time a cricket body elections will be held through electronic as well as manual voting.

The Lodha recommendations have barred the proxy system of voting, directing members to vote only in person, a clause that had always existed but seldom followed.

While members can vote at the Kotla on June 30, electronic voting will be allowed on June 27, 28 and 29 at the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) headquarters at Jai Singh Road.

Election officer Mehta said, “The members will get seven hours to vote each day, while only five hours will be given at Kotla on June 30.”

REAL KASHMIR FACE HINDUSTAN FC

BANGALORE: Real Kashmir and Hindustan FC lock horns in the virtual final of the 2nd Division League on Wednesday to determine the team which will play the I-league next season.