More drama awaits as final voter list due today

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Mirpur was abuzz on Thursday, as former skipper Tamim Iqbal and former board president Faruque Ahmed appeared before the Election Commission (EC) for their hearings regarding the 38 objections to the draft voter list received the day before, ahead of the upcoming Board of Directors' election of the BCB.

The EC informed in the evening that the final voter list would be published at 4:30pm today after it scrutinises the papers of 15 clubs, who were among the objectors for not being included in the voters' list due to various irregularities, which are currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The objection against Tamim was not taken into account, as the "person who submitted it was not present at the hearing," with the left-handed opener claiming to be "embarrassed over explaining the issue" to the media.

Tamim expressed scepticism over whether he would be "allowed to participate in the elections," while refraining from commenting on whether he would quit the polls.

Meanwhile, former BCB boss Faruque's nomination papers were accepted despite a late submission -- an issue that many clubs objected to, claiming clarification behind their inclusion in the voters' list still being left pending. Faruque presented an explanatory letter during the hearing yesterday.

The EC found itself embroiled in controversy. The BCB had previously said that a decision on the 15 clubs had been made in the last board meeting, and since the ACC had not alleged anything, the clubs would be allowed to provide councillors in the upcoming elections.

Reportedly, the BCB sent a letter to the EC concerning the 15 clubs. When asked who in the BCB signed the letter, the EC tried to sidestep the issue. "We had to view a huge number of papers," one EC member said.

As the back-and-forth exchanges of words and allegations prevail, the drama surrounding BCB elections appears to continue.