A first move in ensuring that a duly-elected body is in place in Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been made.
For, the top brass of the HCA has written to the Telangana State Election Commission to nominate a senior official as the Returning Officer for the elections as and when they are scheduled.
It may be mentioned here that as per the guidelines of Justice Lodha Committee, one of the State Election Commission top officials should be appointed the Returning Officer. “We have communicated our specific intent to hold the elections at the earliest after ensuring that all the guidelines of Justice Lodha panel as well as the recent instructions of the BCCI are adhered to,” said a top HCA official in a chat with The Hindu.
“We are hoping to get a response from the Election Commission by July 1 and before that, we will address every issue related to the elections. We will try to involve all the stakeholders in the process and consider any view which would help in conducting free and fair elections,” he said.
“The voters’ list, eligibility of candidates and all other related issues, including former international cricketers being the voting members of the HCA, will be addressed to avoid any controversies,” the official said.
“And this first step should also dispense the doubts about the intentions of the High Court-appointed Committee of Administrators. The COA has always been keen to ensure that the elections are held at the earliest, but as per the rules and regulations and guidelines laid down by the Justice Lodha panel and BCCI,” the official said. “We have successfully ensured that the HCA’s image is not tarnished in any way when given the responsibility of hosting international matches, including a Test match, an ODI and the IPL. The credit should go to the CoA and the entire team of officials, including those from BCCI, for the successful conduct of these matches,” the official said.
“We hope the HCA will have a democratically-elected body in place soon,” he concluded.