Indications are that incumbent Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron is in pole position to get the better of lone challenger Joel Garner in today’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) presidential election in Kingston.

But despite the public support seeming to be in Cameron’s favour, Garner’s side of the fence has expressed optimism that there could be an upset.

The WICB’s annual general meeting and elections will be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Proceedings are scheduled to commence at 10:00 am, but the voting for the new executive, slated to be last on the agenda, is the source of widespread attention and intrigue.

Cameron, the 44-year-old Jamaican, who is seeking a second two-year term as WICB president, will again rely on Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control president Emmanuel Nanthan as his deputy.

As president Cameron has overseen the inauguration of the Professional Cricket League.

But the humiliating saga involving the WICB, West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and regional team players, which led to the pull-out of the tour of India late last year, has severely tarnished his tenure.

Many blame him for the premature end to the series after players fell out with their union and the regional board.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a claim of US$42 million against WICB, citing monetary loss.

There is also talk in some quarters that the highly powerful and influential BCCI could soften their stance if Cameron is no longer at the helm of the WICB.

Cameron, in his manifesto, said his team will look to “resolve speedily” the issue, with a view to “minimising the damages incurred in reputation” and “rebuilding the relationship” between the two entities.

In his manifesto, labelled ‘Strengthening the Governance of West Indies Cricket’, the incumbent promises better talent development, improved revenue growth, restoring Caribbean unity and pride, more shareholder involvement, transparency and accountability.

Recently, Cameron’s conduct has been the subject of debate after he re-tweeted a cricket follower’s twitter message calling for a retirement package for West Indies opening batsman Christopher Gayle.

Two years ago, Cameron, who was then the vice-president, unseated Julian Hunte, who had occupied the president’s chair for three two-year terms, in a 7-5 vote.

Barbadian Garner, the president of the Barbados Cricket Association and former fast bowling great, will have Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board executive Baldath Mahabir as his vice-presidential running partner.

In his manifesto, dubbed ‘Restoring Pride to West Indies Cricket’, Garner, 62, said a key issue to be addressed is the “very serious incident ending in the termination” of the Indian tour.

He said a “face-to-face meeting with the BCCI” would be arranged “to sort out the issue” of the US$42 million compensation.

Garner said cricket development, the regional teams’ performances, the structure of governance, finance and communication will be the main priorities if he wins. The challenger said expansion of women’s cricket and using the High Performance Centre to assist players with technical flaws are other areas he will be targeting.

Two members from each territory will vote for the next president at the WICB election.

Jamaica’s voting representatives will be JCA second vice-president Osman Dann and secretary Fritz Harris.

It is said that Guyana, Jamaica, Windward Islands and Leeward Islands will vote for Cameron, while Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados are in Garner’s corner.

However, it is speculated that given the WICB’s closed ballot voting process, there could be late surprises.