Rajyavardhan Rathore alleges sports code violation by National Shooting body

The elections for the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), have run into controversy, even before taking place. Once again the bone of contention is the Sports Code

The first phase of the NRAI election got under way on Monday, to elect nominees for the main elections on 6th April. However, the returning officer for the election process was NRAI President himself (Raninder Singh), which is a direct conflict, and a violation of the sports code.

The case has now gone to the Delhi High Court, there's a hearing on 7th March. A neutral returning officer, which is the norm, will be appointed then.

There are accusations against current President Raninder Singh of having rigged the process of electing the nominees for the main elections which are on the 6th of April. Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is among those who've spoken against the electoral procedure.

Rathore, talking to NDTV, said that the President of NRAI himself is the returning officer and free and fair elections are not possible this way.

He said,"The President stated in the governing body meeting that 'in order to conduct free and fair elections, the returning officer needs to be from outside the shooting fraternity' but here he himself becomes the returning officer. He held a secret ballot which was entirely manned by his employees. The ballot papers were not checked by any other independent party."

He went on to compare such an election as one of a state where the Chief Minister himself becomes the Election officer.

"If you go on to compare the functioning of shooting federation with other bodies, we are still better off but in following an election process, why are we scared? This is where the NRAI is equal to or even worse than any other association," quipped an agitated Rathore.