The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Wednesday postponed its election set for March 28, stating that after Delhi, it is impossible to complete the process within the originally planned deadline “and the Himachal Pradesh High Courts directed to reinstate the names left from the election college.
BFI said in a notification to its member units, “It is to inform you that the annual general meeting of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), which was to be held on 28.03.2025, was postponed.”
The BFI said that the decision to postpon the AGM, during which the office bearrs were to be held, were required by Returning Officer (Justice Retad) RK Gauba following the March 21 order.
“The LD Returning Officer has observed that in the light of court orders and the resulting additional addition to the electoral college list, it is practically impossible to continue and complete the election process within the originally planned timelines according to the model election code,” said in the notification.
The Electoral College was finalized on 13 March while the nomination window was from March 14 to March 16.
In his order, Gauba stated that the two court order “R&R and model election code requires some steps taken by BFI.” “With regard to the fact that the model election code determines time-line for the election process, it is practically impossible, with compulsory additions in the electoral college list, to continue the electoral process and complete under the existing schedule.” Both Delhi and Himachal Pradesh High Court had stayed the March 7 order issued by BFI President Ajay Singh, which was submitted to all those who are not elected members of their state associations to be members of the electoral college.
While Delhi HC asked BFI to move forward with elections, Himachal HC had directed the Federation to expand the nomination date to enable former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur’s candidature, which was disqualified after the 7 March order.
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The BFI challenged the Himachal High Court verdict but the appeal was rejected on Tuesday.
Elections, which have already faced many delays and controversies, were originally to be held before February 2.
BFI participated in the operation only after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed a ad hoc committee, a step was challenged in the Delhi High Court, which later stayed on the ad hoc panel.
