Case between TTCB, NLC adjourned to June 14

This was relayed to Justice Carol Gobin yesterday when hearing of oral submissions were expected to commence in the judicial review claim filed by the NLC - led by former WIPA (West Indies Players Association) president and current Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT ) chairman Dinanath Ramnarine in 2016.

In its claim, the NLC had asked for changes to the TT CB constitution, in particular, the rule allowing the incumbent executive 12 outgoing votes in the election.

The TT CB’s election which was expected to be held on October 29, last year, was postponed until the hearing and determination of the lawsuit. Ramnarine and five of his cricketing colleagues - Daren Ganga, Samuel Badree, Anil Kamal, Camal Basdeo and St Servius Clint Pamphile - have contended that certain articles of the TT CB’s constitution governing the election process are unconstitutional.

They referred to the executive members of the TT CB who are elected by the board, with six votes to be cast by members who have been nominated by the present executive board and who are vying for re-election. Another six votes, according to Article 4 (1) of the constitution which the Ramnarine- led slate are objecting to, is derived from the outgoing executive themselves. The NLC’s lead counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, has contended that the block of 12 votes secured by the existing executive who holds office is unfair, illegal, and undemocratic.

They further contend that Zonal councils nominate three members to the TT CB, but of the elections which took places in the zones - North-East, Central, and East zones, serious irregularities occurred. Outgoing officers and nominated persons were allowed to cast votes, the lawsuit alleged.

Maharaj argued that unless the constitution was amended there was the real and serious risk that any election held would be unconstitutional, biased and irrational.

Among the constitutional changes Ramnarine had been lobbying for are the implementation of a one club one vote system, removal of the 12 outgoing votes and term limits for the president.

Ramnarine also wants to see the Tobago Cricket Association, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Umpires Council and Women’s Cricket all have a seat on the executive of the TT CB while being full members. The matter will again be heard on June 14.

Also appearing for the NLC are attorneys Vivek Lakhan-Joseph and Kiel Taklalsingh while Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein and Anil Maharaj appear for the TTCB.

Ramnarine was seeking to unseat Azim Bassarath as president of the TT CB. However, after he was appointed as SPORTT chairman last Thursday, it is unclear whether or not Ramnarine will continue his quest to become TT CB head.