The Indian Olympic Association appoints Returning Officer, suggests July 4 as the WFI election date

The Indian Olympic Association have decided to conduct the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections on July 4. The IOA have also assigned former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer. He will be responsible for the fair elections that will be conducted at the Special General Meeting of the WFI.

“IOA has to take steps forward to conduct elections of the WFI Executive Committee and we are pleased to appoint you as a returning officer to conduct the elections of the WFI. You many consider appointing one assistant returning officer and other staff to assist in conducting the elections,” IOA wrote in their letter to Mahesh Mittal for the upcoming WFI elections.

IOA is expecting smooth conduct of the elections as they expect some confirmation from Mittal on taking up the role of a returning officer. “Elections are required to be conducted in the SGM of the WFI called on 4th July and the schedule of the election will be required to be drawn accordingly. We look forward to your confirmation of acceptance and also the smooth conduct of elections of the WFI on July 4.”

It is believed that Mahesh Mittal can take his call on the date of the Special General Meeting of the WFI and can carry out the elections. But it will be up to him to hold the polls by July 4 or a few days later.

This development happens after former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is now facing sexual charges, had served as President for three tenures, a total of 12 years. The Sports Ministry declared WFI’s earlier election date of May 7 as null and void and has decided to conduct fresh elections. It has appointed a two-member ad hoc committee to run the operations and also hold fresh elections within 45 days.

The electoral college will form once Mittal takes charge of the development. It will be interesting to see if anyone from Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s family is allowed to contest in the elections. His younger son Karan was vice president once but now he is associated with Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association. Meanwhile, his son-in-law Vishal Singh is the president of the Bihar Wrestling body. Due to their associations with the state bodies, they are eligible to contest WFI elections. Only a diktat from the centre can stop the two from filing for elections.