IOA elections on December 5, P.T. Usha calls it milestone for good governance
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that elections for its Executive Council and Athletes' Commission will take place on December 5, 2026. Former Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as the returning officer to oversee the process under the new National Sports Governance framework.
Why it matters
These elections are critical for the governance and administrative stability of India's primary sports body as it transitions to new national sports regulations.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday (October 10, 2026) announced that it will elect its new Executive Council on December 5, five days before the current committee's term ends, and kick-started the process by appointing Sanjay Kumar Srivastava as the returning officer to oversee the polls.
Srivastava is a former Chief Election Commissioner of Delhi and Chandigarh.
The IOA said the electoral process would be conducted in accordance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, the amended IOA Constitution, and the applicable IOA Election Bye-Laws and Rules.
It added that the returning officer would oversee elections to the Athletes’ Commission, the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) category and the IOA Executive Council.
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