15th July Jeypore: After nearly 10 years, a date had been finalized for the election of the Koraput District Sports Association, and the district administration had announced it officially. However, following a recent directive from the High Court, the administration has postponed the election indefinitely.
The General Body Meeting and the election, which were scheduled for 11th July (today), have now been put on hold until further notice. In June, the Koraput District Collector, who is also the president of the District Sports Association, had announced both the meeting and the election. As per the earlier notification, 54 members were to vote and elect the office bearers of the association.
Following the collector’s announcement, various sub-divisional sports associations became active and began preparations for the election. Two sportspersons, Subash Raut and Gaurav Hota, moved the High Court highlighting alleged irregularities in the District Sports Association. The legal case involved several parties including ex-officio government members, the state government, Inspector General of Registration (IGR), Koraput Collector, District Sports Association, Additional District Registrar of Societies, Chief Development Officer, and the Election Officer of the Sports Association.
After the case was filed, the High Court issued an interim order, allowing the General Body Meeting to proceed but restricting the announcement of election results. In response, the district administration has sent out a fresh notification, formally postponing the election.
Candidates who had already prepared strategies for the election now express disappointment. The last election was held in 2015, although as per the bylaws, elections should be held every four years. Elections were scheduled in 2019, but postponed due to the general elections. Again, in 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays.
In 2022, when preparations for the election resumed, several petitions were filed alleging irregularities in the functioning of the District Sports Association. Complaints were also made about the validity of affiliated clubs under Jeypore Subdivision Sports Association. An enquiry was conducted by the Sub-Collector, and a report was submitted to the Collector.
Based on these complaints, the district administration had even dissolved the existing District Sports Association. However, after the announcement of a new election date, reactions poured in from various quarters. Two sportspersons challenged the voter list and other issues in the High Court.
Following the High Court’s directive, the district administration has now withdrawn from conducting the election process. As per the order, the Collector has postponed the election and informed that a new date will be announced later, according to Koraput NAC Executive Officer and acting District Sports Officer Gyanajit Tripathy.
Advocate Deepankar Panigrahi, who represented the complainant sportspersons, stated that the administration’s decision to defer the election is based on the High Court’s order. He also hinted that certain individuals who have historically opposed elections—possibly fearing defeat—have been taking legal recourse to stop the process.
Former Secretary of the Koraput District Sports Association, Anup Patra, stated that he had applied to get a club affiliated under Jeypore Subdivision Sports Association, but no new club has been affiliated so far. He alleged that the subdivision body prepared the voter list as per their own interests.
Gaurav Hota, one of the petitioners, echoed this sentiment and said that due to irregularities in the preparation of the voter list, he approached the High Court.
—