Badal Roy, one of the three president candidates, has decided to pull out from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Election 2020 citing health issues.
Madhabi Roy, wife of the former national footballer and three-time BFF vice-president, submitted a letter of request to election commission for the withdrawal an hour later than the slated time.
“Due to my physical illness, I think it is best to pull out myself from the BFF Election. Therefore I’m requesting to take necessary steps in this matter.” stated the letter signed by Roy.
The deadline to withdraw nomination form was on Saturday 5pm. Only two member candidates out of total 49 who bought nomination papers removed their names from the election by that time.
Roy’s wife informed BFF the decision of withdrawal over the phone but the hand-written letter carried by her arrived election commission office later. Madhabi sought for special consideration to withdraw the name from election.
“The time was very short so I wrote the letter hurriedly and couldn’t attach the signature of others.” Roy’s wife continued, “Even if his name appears in the ballot paper, please don’t try to vote him.”
The 61-year old Badal underwent treatment for brain hemorrhage in Singapore two years ago. The national award winning former footballer also tested Covid-19 positive last month. One of his representatives had collected his nomination form on 7 September and submitted the paper on the following day.
His wife admitted that it was the combined decision of the family to withdraw from the polls.
“We all know that Badal’s health is not going well for long time. He wanted to do something for football. Now we are noticing that the health condition is not supportive to him. So we, the family members have decided that he better withdraw.”
Madhabi replied to a query that there was no ‘unofficial pressure’ to withdraw. She said, “He was not in good health while submitting the nomination form but he thought he could do the election. It will create pressure on him during the campaign. He is struggling to talk and communicate. It might be worse for his health if he would take part in the election.”
The withdrawal of Badal leaving three-time BFF chief Kazi Salahuddin and former footballer and coach Shafiqul Islam Manik vie for the most prestigious post of the country’s football governing body.
Whether Badal’s request of withdrawal is accepted or not would be known by Sunday when the final list of candidates will be published along with the ballot numbers.
A total 49 candidates submitted nomination papers on Tuesday. The schedule to withdraw nomination form was on September 8 to 12 when two member candidates – Saidur Rahman Manik and Jakir Hossain Babul – pulled off their nomination officially.
The election is scheduled to be held in the capital on 3 October. A total 139 councilors are eligible to cast votes to select a 21-member executive committee for next four years including one president, one senior vice-president, four vice-presidents and 15 members.
