Electronic vote in DDCA polls, objections on proxy candidates

NEWDELHI: The first Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) elections since the Lodha recommendations were brought in will be through electronic as well as manual voting.

The Lodha recommendations have barred the proxy system of voting, directing DDCA members to vote only in person, a clause that has always existed but seldom followed as top officials used proxy to stay in power.

While members can vote at the Ferozeshah 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. As per the latest amendment to the Companies Act (2013), DDCA has to provide an option for electronic voting.

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

Mehta said he has received several objections against members putting up relatives or having conflict of interest and has sought undertaking from officials. “Already 4-5 people have withdrawn due to conflict of interest. But these are not for the top posts. We have as many as 112 candidates for just 12 posts – 10-12 for each post.”

Wednesday (May 30) is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. The list will be finalised on Thursday. Former India allrounder Madan Lal, presidential candidate who also heads a cricket academy, has given in writing that he would quit that post if elected. However, there are others like BCCI acting president CK Khanna, whose wife has been controversially fielded 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 the husband and wife holding posts simultaneously.

ELECTION OFFICER SAID HE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL OBJECTIONS AGAINST MEMBERS PUTTING UP RELATIVES