Observer sets guidelines for BCCI elections

S Krishnamurthy, the supreme court-appointed election observer, has issued guidelines on the BCCI's upcoming elections, making it possible for anyone to contest from any association. This comes as a boost for Sharad Pawar, a high-level Maharashtra politician who lost out by a hair's breadth in last year's elections, which Ranbir Singh Mahendra won.

Last year Pawar contested as a nominee for the Punjab Cricket Association, and he was to be the Jammu and Kashmir association's nominee this time, but the new guidelines allow him to contest for presidency from his home state itself. The observer also noted that the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and Kolkata's National Cricket Club had not held elections for a few years - this went against their own constitutions. Since Krishnamurthy will prepare the voters list on November 27, this bars the two bodies from taking part in the elections.

The BCCI elections will be held on November 29 and 30.