Devjit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia are set to become the new secretary and treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as they filed their nomination papers on Saturday. With no other candidates in the fray, their election on January 12 in Mumbai is expected to be a mere formality.
The deadline for nominations ended on Saturday at 5 PM. Saikia and Bhatia will now undergo a formal scrutiny process on January 6. Their appointments will require approval from the general body during a Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for January 12. Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, AK Joti, will oversee the by-election process as the BCCI’s electoral officer.
New Leadership for BCCI
- Devjit Saikia: Currently serving as the interim secretary, Saikia represents the Assam Cricket Association. He will succeed Jay Shah, who recently assumed the role of Independent Chairman at the International Cricket Council (ICC).
- Prabhtej Singh Bhatia: Representing the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh, Bhatia will replace Ashish Shelar, who resigned as treasurer after being inducted into the Maharashtra Government.
Key Highlights of the Election
- The joint secretary position, vacated by Saikia, will remain unfilled for now, with a decision on a possible by-election expected during the SGM.
- Both Saikia and Bhatia’s terms will last until September, when the current three-year tenure for office-bearers concludes. They will be eligible for re-election for additional terms under the BCCI’s constitution.
Their unopposed election signals a smooth transition in the BCCI leadership, ensuring continuity in its functioning ahead of the next set of office-bearer elections later this year.
