The International Olympic Committee on Friday set India a September 1 deadline for new elections to facilitate the country’s return to the Olympic fold. As per the IOC directice, the Indian Olympic Association will have to amend its constitution before July 15 and elect new office bearers by September 1, both under the watchful eyes of the international body.
The IOA banned India in December last after refusing to recognise the results of the IOA’s elections due to government interference, which led to a tainted official being named its secretary general.
Members of the Indian contingent at a crucial meeting in Lausanne this month, had assured the IOC of the Olympic movement’s autonomy in the country in a first step towards mending relations and also discussed a roadmap towards getting the ban overturned.
“The IOA shall hold an elective general assembly (no later than 1 September 2013) to elect the new office-bearers of the IOA,” IOC director general Christophe De Kepper said in a letter to sports minister Jitendra Singh and IOA acting head V.K. Malhotra.
The ban meant an end to funding from the IOC for the country, no Indian officials attending Olympic meetings and Indian athletes banned from competing at the Olympics under their country’s flag.
“The election process will be conducted by the election commission in a free, fair and transparent manner based on the newly revised constitution of the IOA and the Olympic Charter, and will be placed under the supervision of the IOC,” the letter added.