IOA Poll Battle Begins: Athletes’ Commission Up First, Executive Council Elections on December 5
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has begun its 2026 electoral process, with elections to its Executive Council scheduled for December 5, just five days before the current council’s term ends on December 10. Former Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as the returning officer to oversee the process.
Xtratime Webdesk: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has begun its 2026 electoral process, with elections to its Executive Council scheduled for December 5, just five days before the current council’s term ends on December 10. Former Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as the returning officer to oversee the process.
The elections will be conducted under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, the IOA Constitution and the applicable election bye-laws. Srivastava, a retired IAS officer who previously served as Election Commissioner of Delhi and Chandigarh, will supervise the electoral process, including the preparation of electoral rolls, scrutiny of nominations, polling, counting and declaration of results.
The electoral exercise will also cover the Athletes’ Commission and the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster. The process for including eligible sportspersons in the SOM roster began on September 18, with applications and supporting documents to be submitted by October 18.
Meanwhile, elections to the IOA Athletes’ Commission for the 2026–2030 term are scheduled for November 3. The commission will comprise 10 elected members, including five men and five women. Eligible National Sports Federations have been asked to nominate two athlete representatives through their respective Athletes’ Commissions by 2 pm on October 11.
The sequence places the Athletes’ Commission election ahead of the Executive Council polls, making November an important stage in the IOA’s wider electoral calendar. The December election will determine the association’s next Executive Council as it prepares for a new administrative term.
IOA president PT Usha has described the 2026 elections as an important step towards strengthening good governance, transparency and accountability within the Indian Olympic movement. The process comes as India continues its dialogue with the International Olympic Committee regarding its ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad proposed as the host city.
The election process will therefore bring several elements of the IOA’s administration into focus, from athlete representation and eligibility to the selection of its next Executive Council.
