By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

	Minister says there is no pressure for any group to withdraw

The election, called for the first time in six years by the sports minister as per new ICC regulations to elect cricket administrations before 2013, is to be held on Tuesday.

Two teams led by Upali Dharmadasa and Thilanga Sumapthipala were to contest the elections but Mr Sumathipala withdrew from the race at the last minute.

Vice president hopeful Mohan de Silva told BBC Sandeshaya that his team has decided to withdraw due to political pressure and in protest against alleged election malpractices.

The director general of sports has violated her own circular previously issued on the election. We don’t believe that the election will be free and fair Mohan de Silva

"We were carrying out a successful campaign in the beginning until we came under political pressure," he said.

The Sports minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, said he was yet to be informed of the decision by Mr Silva’s team to withdraw.

"I categorically deny that anybody come under any pressure to withdraw," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

"If they were under any pressure how did they file the nominations? I do not know why they making such allegations," was the response by Minister Aluthgamage.

'Not corrupt'

Apart from the fact that some candidates are not qualified to contest according to the sports law, he alleges that the director general of sports has change the list of eligible voters at the last minute.

	Mr Ranatunga will be elected uncontested as his rival candidate has withdrawn

"The director general of sports has violated her own circular previously issued on the election. Therefore, we don’t believe that the election will be free and fair," alleges Mr Silva.

Mr Sumathipala, who publicly expressed his interest to contest against Mr Dharmadasa for the post of president, suddenly withdrew at the last moment but denied coming under any pressure not to contest.

While Michael de Soysa was to contest for the post of secretary from Sumathipala group, Dharmadasa group has not filed any candidate for the post.

If they were under any pressure how did they file the nominations? I don’t know why they making such allegations Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage

Former secretary of SLC, Nishantha Ranatunga, contests for the post as an independent candidate.

Mohan Silva Ranatunga candidacy is one of the other reasons for his group to come under pressure not to contest the elections.

"Michael has been initially very popular among the cricket clubs but later the clubs were under pressure not to support him," he said.

There have been media reports that many including ministers campaigning for Mr Ranatunga, currently the executive director of Carlton Television Network (CSN).

Minister Aluthgamage, who denies corruption allegations against the interim committee headed by Mr Ranatunga and DS de Silva, says anybody is entitled to contest the election.

"But I clearly said that the SLC faced some difficulties due to inefficiency of the then administration and it is for the cricket clubs to decide whom to vote," he said.