Ministry asks National Sports Federations, Indian Olympic Association to conduct elections on time

NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry has asked all National Sports Federations ( NSFs) and the Indian Olympic Association ( IOA) to conduct their elections at least one month before the term of its office bearers.

In a communication sent to NSFs and IOA today, the ministry said that the elections should be conducted as per its guidelines including those on age and tenure limits.

It further said that the matter of NSFs holding elections on time has been reviewed.

"It has been noticed that some NSFs do not hold their elections on time and delay the conduct of the elections on some plea or the other," wrote the ministry.

The communication said, however, in exceptional circumstances and in deserving cases extension of maximum of three months could be considered by the ministry, after which the office bearers elected in the last election will automatically cease to exist.

"All NSFs and the IOA are requested to take appropriate action accordingly and intimation regarding holding of elections of office bearers should be sent well in advance, so that the Ministry may consider nominating Government Observer, to oversee the conduct of elections. These instructions shall be followed scrupulously by all concerned," it added.