JOA office in Ranchi Arun Kumar Thakur

Ranchi, July 1: The stage is set for the Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) elections tomorrow and the proceedings promise to be tumultuous.

The issues that may trigger an upset are proposed changes in the constitution of the sports body and in the list of defaulters. Both have the potential to influence the outcome of the elections.

If the present defaulters’ list remains valid, then one will not have to wait for the show of hands for the results. Here’s why: The JOA has already declared six state sports associations and four district sports associations as defaulters. This means that they will not be allowed to participate in the elections and the annual general meeting.

As each of state association carries two votes, those of the president and the secretary, the six defaulters reduce the vote by 12.

The four district associations on the defaulters’ list are Ranchi, Sahebganj, Palamau and Garhwa. As each district association is worth one vote, these four defaulters reduce the votes by four.

Thus, out of the total 75 entitled voters, 16 will not be able to show their hands by way of voting for a candidate. This means the electoral college will be reduced to 59 voters.

Besides, the Jharkhand State Wrestling Association and the Jharkhand Table Tennis Association did not send the names of staff members slated to attend the July 2 meet even though they were required to send names by June 22, said JOA treasurer M.K. Pathak.

Of the 59 votes, JOA president R.K. Anand has seven votes in hand. Likewise, JOA secretary-general S.M. Hashmi has 13 votes in hand — one as an IOA member and 12 as he heads six state associations either as the president or as secretary. Wasim Hashmi, closely related to him, has a single vote, as he is the general secretary of the Jharkhand Winter Games Association. The JOA treasurer has eight votes in hand as he heads groups either as president or as secretary of four state associations.

Thus, the three alone control 29 votes out of 59 and need just a single vote to cross the 50 per cent mark and win the electoral battle.