Shillong, Oct 23: The Meghalaya Cricket Association held its Apex Council election at Umbir, Ri-Bhoi, on Saturday with Gideon Kharkongor re-elected as Honorary Secretary, while Naba Bhattacharjee returned in the role of President.

Both were elected unopposed. Bhattacharjee was the Honorary Secretary in the years leading up to 2019 after which Kharkongor took over. It was under the former that Meghalaya was included as a full member of the BCCI and began participating in domestic cricket tournaments. Kharkongor then carried on the work of building up the sport in Meghalaya while also weathering the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Apex Council will drive cricket forwards in Meghalaya, with the mandate to expand interest in it at the grassroots across all affiliated districts, create necessary infrastructure and give Meghalaya the best footing to take part in BCCI tournaments with the aim of raising the state’s profile on the domestic circuit while developing the talents of the youth.

There were four other posts in the Apex Council to fill: Vice-President, Honorary Joint Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Member (Councillor).

Chiang D Shira also returned as Joint Secretary unopposed, while Sengnab Momin was elected as the new Member (Councillor) unopposed.

There were, thus, only two competitive races – for VP and Treasurer – with two candidates contesting for each and these were won by Rayonald Kharkamni and incumbent Dhrubajyoti Thakuria, respectively.

“The whole election process was transparent, free and fair,” Electoral Officer W Khyllep said, adding that it was conducted as per the rules and procedures of the BCCI with guidance from provisions of the rules of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Representatives of the 11 district associations affiliated to the MCA were eligible to vote in the election. The electoral rolls were published on October 10. Nominations were accepted on October 14 and 11 nomination papers were received. Bhattacharjee, Kharkongor and Shira were the only people to file nominations in their respective categories.

Scrutiny of the nominations was also held on November 14 and all were found to be valid. However, three nominees withdrew by the following day – one each for VP, Treasurer and Member (Councillor); the latter meant that Momin was elected unopposed.

Voting on Saturday was, therefore, only held for the two remaining posts of VP and Treasurer.