Justice Mittal Kumar Appointed as Returning Officer for WFI Elections on July 4

12-06-2023 : The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is set to hold its elections on July 4, as announced by Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar, the appointed Returning Officer for the process. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has taken the initiative to ensure a smooth election process by appointing Justice Mittal Kumar, a former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, to oversee the proceedings.

In a letter sent by IOA CEO Kalyan Chaubey to Justice Mittal Kumar, the IOA expressed its intention to move forward with the WFI Executive Committee elections and confirmed his appointment as the Returning Officer. The IOA also suggested that Justice Mittal Kumar consider appointing an Assistant Returning Officer and additional staff to assist with the conduct of the elections.

The Special General Meeting (SGM) of the WFI, where the elections will take place, has been scheduled for July 4. However, sources indicate that Justice Mittal Kumar has the authority to determine the exact date of the SGM and the elections. He may choose to hold the polls on July 4 or opt for a slightly later date.

Earlier, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had stated that the WFI elections would be conducted by June 30. However, due to the requirement of a 21-day notice for calling the SGM, it became apparent that meeting this deadline would be challenging. The elections can be conducted either during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or the SGM.

With the appointment of Justice Mittal Kumar as the Returning Officer, the WFI elections are expected to proceed under fair and transparent procedures. This move aims to ensure the democratic functioning of the WFI and provide an opportunity for rival factions within the State bodies to participate in the electoral process.