Ivory Coast football governing body, FIF, has halted the electoral process for the body’s presidency following the independent commission’s failure to publish the names of approved candidates within the stipulated period.
The commission is obliged by the rules to announce the names within five business days from the deadline of candidacy submission.
Its secretary general pulled out late Wednesday, accusing the other members of planning to overturn the rules and regulations in “favour of some candidates.”
He also revealed that the commission had been under pressure to allow all four candidates (including Didier Drogba) to run for the top post.
FIF’s incumbent president Sidy Diallo announced thereafter the suspension of the activities of the commission because it “is no longer credible to organize a free and fair election.”
He said a general assembly of the football body will hold on August 29 to name a fresh electoral commission. The original September 5 date for the election will likely be put off.
Multiple local reports claim the authorities are pushing for Drogba’s candidacy to be approved despite his failure to clinch the mandatory endorsement from any of the five interest groups affiliated to the FA.
