[UPDATED] CWI head: Azim Bassarath will run for re-election as VP

TWO weeks after Guyana's High Court declared the nomination and election of Azim Bassarath as Cricket West Indies (CWI) vice-president null and void, on August 19, CWI announced Bassarath has vacated the post. The organisation deemed it "prudent" to host a new election for the position on September 20.

Bassarath was appointed vice-president on March 25, 2023, but on August 5, Guyana's High Court ruled in favour of a challenge from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and declared the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president's ascension to the post “null, void and of no legal effect.”

On August 5, CWI, led by its president Kishore Shallow, signalled its intentions to contest the court ruling, with a release from the organisation saying, "CWI has instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal, and will await the decision of the appellate court."

But after an August 8 meeting of the CWI board, regional cricket's governing body decided to have a new election for the vice-president via an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

"CWI and Azim Bassarath have agreed to hold the election for the office of vice-president regardless of the outcome of the court matter," Shallow told Newsday. "In the board's estimation, at this juncture, this is the most prudent action to maintain the shareholders' utmost confidence in our electoral process."

Shallow confirmed Bassarath will be vying for re-election.

"This situation presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the CWI memorandum and articles of association," Shallow said in CWI's August 19 media release.

"Over time, policies and frameworks will always be tested. As a board, we must remain open-minded and committed to evolving in all aspects; this circumstance is a testament to such fact."

Shallow thanked Bassarath for his professionalism amid the circumstances.

"I am particularly grateful for the level of co-operation and professionalism (with) which Mr Bassarath has handled this matter, and therefore extend my gratitude to him for such."

The CWI release reiterated the organisation's "unwavering commitment to democratic principles and transparency."

Newsday tried to contact Bassarath for comment, but calls and messages via WhatsApp went unanswered. GCB secretary Anand Sanasie could not be reached either.

In January 2023, the GCB nominated Bassarath for CWI vice-president, and the TTCB president ran unopposed for the post at the elections last March. Bassarath gained six votes, with two voting against, while four abstained.

However, at the AGM, the GCB said it had “submitted a letter and made clear of its position that it had withdrawn its nomination of Mr Azim Bassarath for the post.” Last October, the GCB sent a letter to CWI raising concerns about the validity of his election. On October 7, CWI acknowledged receipt of the GCB's letter and said its electoral process was a "fair and transparent" one.

"The board of CWI has thoroughly examined the matters raised by the GCB and wishes to assure all stakeholders that the election for the post of vice-president was conducted in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association of the organisation," the CWI's October 7 release said.

The CWI said it was committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and was willing to engage the GCB towards an "amicable resolution" to the situation.

In April this year, the GCB took its position a step further when it initiated legal action against the CWI and insisted Bassarath's election was flawed and illegal. The GCB said it had written several letters to CWI highlighting this, but claimed the latter failed to "correct the wrong" more than a year after Bassarath was elected.

On August 5, the GCB won its day in court when High Court judge Justice Navindra Singh declared Bassarath's election as vice-president went against CWI's articles of association and the laws and rules governing elections.

After the ruling, CWI "contended that the court was without jurisdiction to hear the matter and that disputes of this nature should be resolved through arbitration."

Two weeks later, CWI has softened its stance and will now prepare for a fresh election for vice-president.

This story was originally published with the title "Bassarath out, CWI to elect new vice president" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath has been removed as vice president of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

At a CWI board of directors meeting on August 8, the regional body decided to revoke its appeal of an August 5 decision by the High Court of Guyana, which determined that Bassarath's election as VP on March 25, 2023 was illegal, null and void.

CWI will now hold elections for the vacant post on September 20.

The Guyana Cricket Board had challenged Bassarath's election after officially withdrawing its nomination of him for the post at CWI's annual general meeting. Despite this move, the elections went ahead, with CWI saying everything was fair and transparent.

Commenting on the board's position, CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow said, "This situation presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the CWI Memorandum and Articles of Association. Over time, policies and frameworks will always be tested. As a board, we must remain open-minded and committed to evolving in all aspects; this circumstance is a testament to such fact."

Shallow thanked Bassarath for his professionalism amid the circumstances.

"I am particularly grateful for the level of co-operation and professionalism (with) which Mr Bassarath has handled this matter, and therefore extend my gratitude to him for such."