Defiant IOA officials go on with polls despite being suspended by International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee has suspended the Indian Olympic Association with immediate effect until it is in a position to satisfy all the conditions set out in the Olympic Charter and the IOC's requirements. (Read: IOC suspends India)

But the defiant IOA has decided to go ahead with the elections under the supervision of a 3-member election panel consisting of Justice VK Bali, Anil Dev Singh and JD Kapoor.

The IOA President Elect Abhay Singh Chautala along with Lalit Bhanot and others were present for the Annual General Meeting of the IOA, ahead of the elections.

The crucial posts of the President, Secy General have already been filled in. This election will determine the fate of 34 other posts. However, after the IOA's ban by the International body, the election is being seen as one of no consequence

IOC President Jacques Rogge wrote to IOA's acting president Prof. VK Malhotra and informed that the IOC Executive Board has decided that the IOA "is no longer entitled to exercise any activity or right conferred upon it by the Olympic Charter or the IOC."

Mr Malhotra said: "We don't want any differences with either IOC or the Government of India but at the same time we can't go against the Delhi High Court as it is the law of the land. We are still hopeful that we will convince the IOC & the Government, we are also sending a delegation." (Read: Consequences for India and Indian athletes)

Mr Rogge also said that the Indian Olympic Association is not entitled to hold any elections without express prior approval of the IOC.

"The IOC will withhold any financial assistance to the Indian Olympic Association," Mr Rogge added.

Mr Rogge gave reasons for the decisions. The first reason is: "The IOA is faced with outside interference in applying its election rules, which threatens the IOA's autonomy and the holding of free and fair elections in conformity with the IOA statutes and the Olympic Charter."

The second one is, "the IOA has been unable to observe its own statutes and the Olympic Charter and to enforce the basic principles of ethics and good governance".

"The IOC Executive Board also noted that the IOC, in close coordination with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), has made every possible effort for more than two years to assist in the amicable resolution of these issues. However, the IOC's position has not been taken into consideration seriously and responsibly by the IOA and the relevant Government authorities in India," Rogge said in his letter.

As a result of all these reasons, the IOA was suspended by the governing body. (Read: Who said what)

The IOC Executive Board also reserves the right to take further measures action with regard to the participation of Indian athletes in international Olympic related events.

Read IOC's Letter to IOA: