They have reasons to feel uncomfortable firstly because of the bitter experiences of the past and more importantly the timing of the elections itself that has led them to believe that it had more to do with political motivation rather than bringing accountability to an otherwise reasonably-run and affluent organisation.

It is the worst kept secret that sports bodies are being run by people loyal to the ruling party even after elected bodies have replaced ad-hoc committees. The most painful example in recent memory was the fight for power in the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) between an elected body loyal to the Awami League and SA Sultan-led panel backed by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The fight eventually led the sport's governing body FIFA to slap a humiliating ban on the BFF.

Cricket also had its fair share of problems that saw an elected body fighting a legal battle till the final day of its four-year term with a government-nominated BCB president running the show with a set of advisors by his side.

Interestingly, elected bodies in all federations barring a few have been at odds with their respective presidents ever since the BNP came to power after the last general elections, which was held after the polls in sports during Awami League's tenure in office.

To be frank, introduction of elections in sports federations replacing the age-old ad-hoc committee during the rule of Awami League has done more harm than good. The otherwise serene sports arena manned by dedicated sports organisers have lost the battle against those who are politically motivated. A vested group under the banner of 'District Sports Forum' sprang up overnight and it became so powerful that with a strong vote bank at its disposal the forum dictated every election result.

Besides, real democracy remains a far cry with the all-powerful president remaining a government nominee.

Since the whole election mechanism appears faulty the desire to hold polls in the BCB, which is a body as sensitive as any organ of the government, is nothing but an attempt to make some political gains.

It is rumored that the selected advisors, serving on the Board, are in all probability going to be elected to different posts through elections that can be best described as a farce.

The Board has already got the ball rolling by naming their favourite councilors.

Now comes the question; is it wise at all to hold elections in the cricket body with general elections just over a year away?

"That has to be a political decision. It must come from the top. I cannot comment on that," said Youth and Sports Secretary Syed Sujauddin Ahmed to The Daily Star on Sunday.

"Everybody wants to be a part of the federation nowadays. It was not same in the 70s when we had to persuade friends and sports lovers to work as organisers just out of love for the game," said Sujauddin, who is also general secretary of the Bangladesh Chess Federation.

"Gradually came glamour, prestige, foreign trips and finally, there was huge involvement of foreign funds in the major federations. It brought more people to the scene and eventually, demands were made to run them democratically.

"We've had elections but whether the new system that replaced adhocism has improved conditions or not, only time will tell.

I believe any federation without genuine sports organisers will fail. Sports like badminton, table tennis once attracted fans till late night. Now, only a few games can do that."

He said that it would be hopeless if real organisers are ignored for political pressure.

"We have always been talking about keeping sports above politics. But have we really tried to follow the foreign model?"