The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) last month announced the postponement of its scheduled elections. The Returning Officer appointed for the task, Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar (retd), made the unprecedented decision to reschedule the polls originally set for July 6. The new date for the elections is now July 11.
Elections often bring disputes, and the WFI is no exception. Previous electoral conflicts within bodies like the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have occurred. However, the Returning Officer typically permits both factions to cast their votes in sealed envelopes. This unique approach ensures fairness and transparency.
The timing of this decision is worth noting. It coincided with Justice Kumar's crucial task of finalizing the electoral list. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) joint secretary, Kalyan Chaubey, sent a letter to Justice Kumar, urging him to attentively listen to the concerns of state bodies entangled in factional disputes.
Several states, including Haryana, Telangana, Assam, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, are facing internal conflicts over voting rights. Today, claims from Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Haryana were heard, while the remaining cases will be addressed in the coming days, according to reports.
In light of the new notification, the nomination submission period has been adjusted. It will now commence on June 29 instead of June 23, with the deadline for submission set for July 1. The scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for July 4, followed by the publication of a list of valid candidates on the same day.
The recent decision to postpone the elections has drawn criticism from some National Sports Federations (NSF). They perceive it as unwarranted government interference. "In the past, there have been disputes among bodies during elections, including the IOA. However, the Returning Officer usually allowed both factions to vote in sealed envelopes," voiced an office-bearer of a national federation.
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