Guwahati: The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee elections will take place on September 2, and hopeful candidates may submit new nominations from August 25, as per the returning officer announced.
The Supreme Court on Monday, August 22, dismissed the Committee of Administrator (CoA), as requested by FIFA, and postponed the AIFF election by one week.
Umesh Sinha, the returning officer, issued a new notice clarifying the procedure hours after the SC order. While the scrutiny will take place on Sunday, nominations for the positions may be submitted between Thursday and Saturday (August 28).
The candidates, whose nominations are deemed valid, will have a chance to withdraw the nomination, if they want, on August 29 while the returning officer shall prepare the final list of contesting candidates and put it on the AIFF website on August 30. The polls would be held on September 2 at AIFF Headquarter in New Delhi and the results could be announced either on September 2 or 3, according to the returning officer’s notice.
While the returning officer prepares the final list of contending candidates and posts it on the AIFF website on August 30, the candidates whose nominations are considered legitimate will have the opportunity to withdraw the candidacy, if they choose so, by August 29. According to the notice from the returning officer, the voting would take place on September 2 at the AIFF Headquarters in New Delhi, and the results would be declared on September 2 or 3.
The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) was suspended by FIFA on August 15 for “undue third-party intervention,” endangering the U17 Women’s World Cup that India is set to host in October. If CoA left, the AIFF ban would be lifted and the U-17 Women’s World Cup would be held in the nation. On Monday, the top court ordered that acting secretary general Sunando Dhar would oversee daily operations.
The updated rule prohibits “great footballers” from voting individually, which is against FIFA regulations. The implication of this order is that former captain Bhaichung Bhutia will no longer be able to run for office under the guise of an accomplished footballer, but rather must come from a state unit.