Appeal filed in cricket case

An appeal challenging a judge’s ruling on the existing electoral process of the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) has been lodged by present and former members of the National League who continue to express their dissatisfaction with the voting provisions of the cricketing body’s constitution and election system.

The legitimacy of the voting process has been challenged by the league’s members, which include former national cricketers Dinanath Ramnarine, Daren Ganga, Akil Kamal, Camal Basdeo, Samuel Badress and Clint Pamphile.

In December, Justice Jacqueline Wilson, in a written decision, dismissed the league’s arguments, saying the court could not “allow itself to become an umpire to resolve a controversy in which TTCB and its members may be embroiled.”

She said it was for the TTCB to decide what rules it considered to be in the best interest of its members and the sport in general.

After not holding elections for two years, because of the 2016 lawsuit by the league, the national cricketing body went to the polls on January 16, which saw incumbent president Azim Bassarath remaining at the helm and a new executive team being selected.

In their appeal, the league’s members argued that the judge’s assessment of the arguments, in particular the lawfulness of the electoral process, was misconceived.

As part of their appeal, they have also argued that the judge seemed to have adopt a hands-off approach to their complaints of the unfair and undemocratic electoral process.

In their original lawsuit, they argued that the voting process, which allowed for outgoing members to have a vote, was “undemocratic, bias, and irrational.”

In particular, league representatives complained of a rule which gives the executive of the TTCB 12 outgoing votes.

Under the local cricketing body’s rules, nominated members elected by the board are allowed six votes, with the outgoing members of the board, some of whom may be facing re-election, being afforded six votes.

Wilson, however, said there was nothing to support the league’s argument that the 12 votes out of a majority of 49, were assured to the TTCB’s outgoing officers and constituted an unfair advantage that yielded an unjust result.

She said the TTCB was the authority responsible for advancing and promoting the welfare of cricket in TT, and was given a wide discretion by Parliament to manage its own procedures and amend its rules to address the changing needs of its membership and the sport in general.

The league members are represented by Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj,SC, Kiel Tacklalsingh, Vivek Lakhan-Joseph and Priya Ramsahai.