IOA’s election Code of Conduct bars criticism of ‘private life’ of candidates, publicity

No criticism of opponents’ “private lives”, a bar on all forms of publicity, including the use of new media and social networks, and a requirement for IOA and NSF office-bearers to maintain neutrality feature in the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming elections to the Athletes’ Commission and Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).

The election to pick 10 members of the Athletes’ Commission of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will be held on November 3, while the polls to choose eight SOMs will be held on November 9. Both elections will be held virtually, and separate instructions will be issued later by Electoral Officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava.

There are 12 candidates — including Olympic medallists P.V. Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu — in the fray for the Athletes’ Commission membership. The 10 members — five men and five women — will be elected by the 34 members of the electoral college — two each from 17 National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Eight SOMs — four men and four women — will be elected from among 80 SOMs — 40 men and 40 women — notified by the Electoral Officer.

Some of the legendary figures of Indian sports, including incumbent IOA President P.T. Usha, are in the fray to become one of the eight SOMs.

“A candidate shall not produce any spoken word, written text or representation of any nature likely to harm the image of another candidate or cause him prejudice, and criticism of other candidates, if made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work,” one of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct said.

“The promotion of a candidate shall exclude any form of publicity, including the use of new media or social networks, and no public meeting or gathering of any kind may be organised in the process of promoting a candidature.”

“NSF and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the athletes. No candidate shall engage in criticism based on unverified allegations or distortion against any other candidate, and there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.”

The Model Code of Conduct also prescribed that electoral campaigns shall be carried out by the candidates in a fair manner and, in a spirit of respect for fundamental ethical principles.

“Candidates shall conduct all campaigns with dignity and moderation and with respect for any other candidates, the National Sports Body and its members.”

“No NSF or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.”

“Every candidate may present to the members in the electoral roll, his plans and views for the elected post, in the form of a written document, which shall be published by the Electoral Officer…”

It also asked all the candidates to “scrupulously avoid all activities that are ‘corrupt practices’, including bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters”.

“Candidates shall avoid excessive expenditure in campaigning, recognising that it could become a factor of inequality amongst the candidates. Candidates may, in no case and under no pretext, give presents, offer donations, gifts or grant advantages of whatever nature, directly or indirectly, to voting members.”