Sri Lanka Cricket’s move or resolution to slash the number of votes to elect office bearers from 147 to 60 is likely to cause a two-way stir with clubs that will lose their voting rights screaming foul and critics charging that the reduced number of votes makes it easier to buy off voting clubs.
Neutralists contend the slashing of votes is a positive sign for change at SLC, but at the same time contend that outsiders hoping to campaign and secure a position in the governance of cricket will stand little or no chance against incumbent officials who are able to cultivate the majority of the 60 votes on offer from the inside.
“What is going to happen here is that unless current SLC office-bearers who are targeting the election prove they will not have a free run with a reduction in the voter base, the belief is that a small field of play makes it easy to catch the ball”, said one former official who requested that he not be named as he intends to contest one of the posts at an election in May this year.
Last week SLC in a media statement claimed its ruling to slash the number of votes from 147 to 60 will not leave room for any underhand acts as they have appointed retired Court of Appeal judge Malanie Gunaratne to head a four member Committee that will monitor the 2025 election of office-bearers.
But SLC will also have to contend with member clubs that will lose their voting rights who claim they have been let down after what they say has been “staying loyal in times of need”.
“We do not know the clubs that will lose their voting rights or have their quota of two votes cut down to one. Some clubs are definitely going to lose out and this will not be the solution to the problem”, said an incumbent secretary of one club.
But in making the ruling to fall in line with changes, SLC claimed it turned a new leaf in the reduction of votes.
“The new voting structure ensures that voting rights are determined solely based on the level of cricket played by each member club with all qualified clubs and Associations being entitled to only one vote. This marks a pivotal step towards equitable representation and streamlined decision making”, SLC said in its media statement.
