Shillong: The Shillong Cricket Association (SCA) has raised serious objections to the conduct of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) General Elections 2025, alleging that the process violates both the BCCI’s election framework and the MCA Constitution.
In a detailed public statement issued on Thursday, the SCA described the ongoing exercise as “fundamentally defective” and urged the Electoral Officer to declare the process null and void and restart the election afresh.
According to the SCA, the MCA released an electoral roll listing only member associations, without disclosing the names of their voting representatives until after the nomination window had closed.
The association claims this forced candidates to file nominations without knowing their electorate, undermining transparency and the fairness of the election.
The names were uploaded to the MCA website only after nominations closed, a move the SCA alleges was intended to deny candidates a level playing field.
The SCA has also accused the MCA of providing an inadequate objection period.
While the BCCI allows two full days for objections after publication of the draft electoral roll, the MCA reportedly allowed less than 24 hours and did so before disclosing the names of individual representatives.
The association says this rendered the objection process meaningless and stripped members of a key statutory safeguard.
Further concerns have been raised about the campaign period and the venue of polling.
The SCA argues that the delayed publication of voters’ names has shortened the effective campaign window to six days, despite an official seven-day schedule.
It also notes that the MCA has not publicly announced the venue for polling and declaration of results, creating uncertainty and raising questions about transparency, particularly since previous elections have been conducted away from the association’s headquarters without explanation.
The SCA says the election timeline also breaches constitutional requirements, pointing out that the final electoral roll must be published at least one week before the AGM.
The MCA released the list only six days ahead of the 9 December election and, according to the SCA, denied members an opportunity to raise objections after publication.
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In a letter to the Electoral Officer, SCA president Peter Macdonald Kharsawian said the cumulative effect of these actions suggested bias and deliberate manipulation of the electoral process.
He called on the officer to restart the entire election process with proper disclosure of representatives, a valid objection window and a clear announcement of the polling venue at the MCA headquarters in Shillong.
If this could not be ensured, the SCA urged the Electoral Officer to step aside in favour of a more neutral official.
The SCA also said the Deputy Commissioner has taken note of potential violations in the MCA election schedule and has ordered an inquiry following a petition.
The association said the step underscores the seriousness of concerns regarding the transparency and integrity of the election process.
