WFI elections and results announcement set to take place on December 21

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has scheduled its long-awaited elections for December 21, with results set to be announced on the same day, as per the returning officer’s statement on Saturday. Justice (retd) MM Kumar, the returning officer, clarified that the entire electoral process, including polling, vote counting, and result declaration, will be conducted in one day. However, the outcome of these elections remains contingent on the decision of a writ petition pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The WFI elections, which will take place during a Special General Body Meeting, will follow the electoral list prepared on August 7. This announcement dispels concerns that the electoral process might restart from scratch. As per the statement, all necessary steps had been completed by August 7, except for the actual polling, counting, and result declaration.

The elections were initially postponed due to a stay order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court just before the scheduled polling date on August 12, 2023. However, the Supreme Court recently lifted the stay, allowing the elections to proceed on December 21, 2023.

Following several delays and interruptions, including suspension by United World Wrestling for not holding timely elections, the WFI elections are now moving forward. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)-constituted ad-hoc committee, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, has been overseeing the WFI's operations since the sports ministry suspended the federation. The suspension came after allegations of sexual harassment against then-president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, leading to prolonged protests by wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.

Indian wrestlers have been competing under the UWW flag in international events due to the national body's suspension. Bajwa confirmed that the elections would be held at the Olympic Bhawan, adhering to the agenda outlined in the notice issued on July 21, 2023.

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