The Antigua and Barbuda High Court has granted an interim injunction temporarily suspending the Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) presidential election process, following urgent legal action brought on behalf of the Anguilla Cricket Association and Nevis Cricket Association President Carlisle Powell. According to Antigua News Room, the order was issued late on July 10th, 2026, and two senior Caribbean cricket officials say the court action was made necessary after former West Indies international cricketer Kieran Powell was prevented from standing as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
The injunction also restrained the LICB from proceeding with its scheduled Annual General Meeting and presidential election on July 11th while the legal challenge is heard. The Court has listed the first inter partes hearing for July 22nd, 2026, and has given the LICB until July 16th, 2026 to file any affidavit in response.
Regional board members and stakeholders within Leeward Islands cricket have emphasised that the injunction was not sought to disrupt cricket administration, but to protect the integrity of the electoral process before any final outcome is declared.
At the centre of the dispute is the omission of former West Indies international opener Kieran Powell from the circulated nominee list, despite supporting regional cricketing associations believing he had secured the necessary nominations for the presidency. Concerns have also been raised over the omission of Vice-Presidential candidate Dr. Timothy Hodge, as well as alleged delays linked to election correspondence reportedly sent to an outdated email account.
Senior Leeward Islands cricket administrators say the wider concern has moved beyond procedural matters. They point to unresolved questions surrounding the extended tenure of incumbent President Enoch Lewis, who is understood to have held office for approximately a decade or more, notwithstanding constitutional provisions that appear to prescribe a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms. Questions have additionally been raised over how and when the latest constitutional amendments were adopted, circulated, and ratified.
Officials say the Court's intervention reflects the seriousness of the issues now before it. The injunction remains interim in nature, and the substantive matters are yet to be determined. Concerned stakeholders maintain, however, that no election result should be confirmed while material questions over nominations, notice, eligibility, and constitutional process remain unresolved.
Those connected with the application have further noted that the Leeward Islands have produced world-class cricketing talent, and that the process for selecting the region's top cricket administrator must reflect the same standards of fairness, discipline, and credibility expected on the field of play.
Representatives connected with the application also stated that, despite repeated attempts to effect personal service of the interim order on Mr. Lewis, he had not yet been reached at the time the statement was issued.
