This announcement comes shortly after the appointment of retired Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar, formerly of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, as the returning officer by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The elections will mark a significant milestone for the sport in the country.
The notification further reveals that the election results will also be declared on the same day, ensuring a swift conclusion to the electoral process. As part of the procedure, nominations for candidacy will be accepted starting from June 19. The scrutiny of nominations will be completed by June 22, allowing adequate time for a thorough review of the submitted candidates.
Each state unit within the WFI will have the opportunity to nominate two representatives, with each representative holding one vote. Consequently, the electoral college for the WFI elections will consist of 50 votes. However, it has come to light that a few state bodies previously dissolved by the WFI have expressed their desire to participate in the elections, potentially affecting the final composition of the electoral college.
The returning officer will have the responsibility of examining the credentials of the representatives from these factions, determining their eligibility to vote. Furthermore, the submission of nominations will commence on June 23 and conclude on June 25. Following this, the nominations will undergo a preparation and display process, with scrutiny taking place on June 28 to ensure transparency and adherence to regulations.
Candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations between June 28 and July 1. The final list of contesting candidates will then be released on July 2, marking the culmination of the nomination process. The elections themselves will be conducted to fill various crucial positions, including that of president, senior vice-president, four vice-presidents, secretary-general, treasurer, two joint secretaries, and five executive members.
Speculation had been rife regarding the date of the elections, with suggestions that they would be held on July 4 following the appointment of Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer by the IOA. Notably, the returning officer holds the authority to determine the participation of rival factions within the state bodies, potentially impacting the overall electoral process. State bodies from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka have reportedly submitted names for inclusion in the voters’ list.
In June 2022, the WFI dissolved state bodies in Karnataka, Haryana, and Maharashtra due to issues including corruption and mismanagement. Another significant aspect of the forthcoming elections revolves around whether family members or associates of the outgoing WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, will be permitted to contest.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had reassured wrestlers that Brij Bhushan’s relatives would not be allowed to participate in the polls. However, the eligibility of candidates associated with Brij Bhushan, including his son Karan, who held the position of vice-president in the previous WFI setup, and his son-in-law Vishal Singh, president of the Bihar Wrestling Association, remains uncertain.
The WFI elections carry great importance for the future of wrestling in India, and the appointment of a returning officer and the subsequent announcement of the election date mark significant progress. Wrestling enthusiasts and stakeholders eagerly await the outcome of these elections, which will shape the future direction and leadership of the sport in the country.
(With inputs from PTI)
