By S. Kannan in Chennai

SERIOUS doubts have been cast over Hockey India’s intentions to hold free and fair elections in the Capital on January 29.

Weeks of wrangling involving Hockey India and state units notwithstanding, the latest surprise from Hockey India comes in the form of a new set of election by- laws that were issued on January 4 which mocks the whole process which has been set in motion.

After meetings with government observer SK Mendiratta, it was agreed that the election process will be transparent and the ballot would be used. But by suddenly issuing new by- laws, it is feared that there will be enormous scope for manipulation.

A look at the these absurd bylaws gives an impression that an attempt is being made to cast aside the suggestions made by Mendiratta, a legal expert with 40 years of experience. One of the insiders went to the extent of saying “ these by- laws give an opportunity for manipulation”. While it was agreed by Hockey India that a proper procedure will be followed as in who are the eligible candidates and what constitutes the electoral college, the self drafted by- laws issued by HI president AK Mattoo are a travesty of fair election systems.

According to these by- laws, Mattoo will appoint a returning officer on the spot ( on January 29) and bring out a voters list only at that time. This will not be known to the representative state units or anyone else who comes to participate. It will, therefore, not allow them to undertake the normal process of consulting delegates from other states, in order to consider appointees for office bearers.

On Thursday, Antonio van Ondarza, vice- president, international hockey federation ( FIH) wrote to the sports ministry expressing serious concern over the latest developments. “ The FIH, as well as you, had confirmed we want clear and transparent elections, not subject to any later misinterpretation or unclear procedures and results.

” The FIH and the government representative of the ministry seek only to put the old chapter behind and start with a new, clear and undisputed Hockey India,” says Ondarza in his letter.

A copy of the letter has been sent to Hockey India also.

Earlier, in a letter written on Wednesday, Ondarza had written to Hockey India on the confusion about who are the ‘ office bearers’ as defined in clause 3.1 of the Hockey India constitution.

The FIH vice- president has further written: “ In an earlier copy of the constitution, officer bearers were defined as the president, honorary secretary general, honorary treasurer and two senior vice- presidents. “ This issue must be resolved, so I suggest that you send me a copy of the constitution which was approved by the government authority when the constitution was lodged for approval and registration. I have apprehensions that the constitution lodged for registration may have been changed from the draft ( I prepared) which was approved by the FIH. The only way to resolve this is to see the constitution that was approved by the Indian authorities,” says Ondarza’s letter.

The FIH vice- president has also objected to the new by- laws rule 4.4 “ This rule requires that the name of the representative must be advised to the president ‘ so as to reach him in time’. What is meant by ‘ in time’? I would not like to see an argument as to who is entitled to be present and vote.

I suggest that the rule should be deleted. It seems to me that any representative who is validly nominated by his/ her state and is present should be eligible to vote,” adds Ondarza’s letter.

Meanwhile, the sports ministry has also taken serious note of the latest attempts by Hockey India.

The ministry feels that the new draft election by- laws of Hockey India “ is at total variance from the first draft”. “ It ( new by- laws) is not acceptable to the government because it goes back on its own principles and dilutes the entire election process. I would strongly urge upon you to work on the original draft and consider the proposal to include a well- laid down time schedule for different stages of the election process, including notification of candidates and date of poll,” says a letter written by the sports ministry. The ministry has also made it clear that it wants the pending affiliation issue sorted out at the earliest.