The IOA has kick-started the process by appointing Sanjay Kumar Srivastava – a former Chief Election Commissioner of Delhi and Chandigarh - as the returning officer to oversee the polls.
The Hindu newspaper reported the IOA saying that the electoral process would be conducted in accordance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, the IOA Constitution and the applicable IOA Election Bye-Laws and Rules.
It added Srivastava would oversee elections to the Athletes’ Commission for 2026-2030, the Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit category and the IOA Executive Council.
IOA President PT Usha described the move as a milestone in the organisation’s efforts to strengthen good governance.
“The 2026 elections mark an important milestone in strengthening good governance, transparency and accountability within the Indian Olympic Movement. Our objective is to build strong, credible and athlete-centric institutions, fully aligned with the Olympic Charter and the national sports governance framework,” Usha said.
“The appointment of an experienced former Election Commissioner as Electoral Officer/Returning Officer underlines our commitment to an independent, transparent and credible electoral process. The IOA will provide all necessary support while fully respecting the independence of the electoral process,” she added.
Usha became IOA President on December 10, 2022, after being elected unopposed, becoming the first woman to head the national Olympic body.
With India aspiring to host the 2036 Olympic Games, Usha stressed that strong governance and an athlete-centric approach would remain central to the IOA’s Olympic journey.
India is among seven countries interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics – the others are Germany, Hungary, Qatar, Korea, South Africa and Turkey.