BFI elections to be held by August 31 as IOA forms panel to look into poll delay
The IOA committee is expected to recommend a roadmap to ensure that the BFI elections are held timely and in a transparent manner.
The Boxing Federation of India's elections will be conducted by August 31, insisted the interim panel overseeing it after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed a committee to determine its delay.
The IOA formed a fact-finding committee on Friday to look into the reason for delay. Chaired by IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav, the committee also has IOA's executive council member Bhupender Singh Bajwa and advocate Payal Kakra.
They are expected to also recommend a roadmap to ensure that elections are held timely and in a transparent manner.
Reacting to IOA's decision, BFI's executive director Arun Malik, who is also part of its interim panel, said that the committee is confident of delivering free and fair election by the dealine of August 31.
"At the same time, it is important to reaffirm that the autonomy of the National Federation is governed by the framework laid down by the World Body," Malik said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the pill process is already underway.
"While we respect the intent behind the IOA’s formation of a three-member fact-finding committee, the process under way is already transparent, accountable, and well-documented.
"All key action points and developments have been formally communicated to both the IOA and the Ministry, ensuring complete institutional clarity."
Former sports minister Anurag Thakur will be up against incumbent Ajay Singh for the president's post even as the BFI continues to be riddled with internal squabbles and factionalism ahead of the polls.
This strife led to RK Gauba, a former Delhi High Court judge, resigning as returning Officer after raising allegations of facing a smear campaign.
In an office order on July 11, IOA president PT Usha said: "The term of the current Executive Committee of the BFI ended on Feb 2 and fresh elections have not been conducted since."
The committee was also empowered to engage with World Boxing and propose a roadmap for elections ans were asked to submit its report by a week in order to inform of the present status to World Boxing.