NEW DELHI — The Indian Olympic Association has bowed to pressure from the International Olympic Committee and scheduled elections for Nov. 25. The IOA made the announcement Monday, a day ahead of a deadline set by IOC for the Indian body to call elections and resolve the confusion surrounding the status of Suresh Kalmadi. Kalmadi spent nine months in jail over corruption charges relating to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He stepped away from the day-to-day running of the IOA but has not relinquished the presidency. Acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra told reporters Monday the IOA “did not want to be in conflict” with the IOC. He said the body would also ensure that sports bodies governing Olympic disciplines would form the majority of the electorate. “The IOC had asked us to furnish information on two issues — the date of elections and to ensure a voting right majority of national sports federations whose disciplines are included in the Olympic Games. The executive board has announced the date for elections and a meeting on Oct. 18 will work out details of the electoral process,” Malhotra said. Malhotra did not clear up the national body's stance on the IOC decision to send an observer to the elections. “The IOC had sought information on these two issues only. The observer issue was not among those on which the IOC had directed us to respond. We've already asked the IOC why we are being singled out because observers are not sent to other countries,” Malhotra said. Malhotra expressed surprise at the Kalmadi issue coming up again since the president has already said he will not be involved in regular affairs of the IOA. — AP
