The Central Executive Committee (CEC) election of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) slated for March 28 was postponed indefinitely on Sunday. This is the fourth deferral of the ANFA election in three months.

Honoring the interim order of the Patan High Court, the election has been postponed until another notice, read a notice issued by the Election Committee today.

Responding to a writ petition filed by the representatives of Makwanpur and Bhaktapur District Football Associations, a single bench on March 23 had issued an interim order directing ANFA to put on hold its election scheduled for March 28.

“The election had to be postponed until another notice after the Patan High Court issued an interim order to put on hold the election of the Central Executive Committee until the complaint filed by Makwanpur and Bhaktapur District Football Associations is resolved,” the notice stated.

Responding to a query when the election will be held, ANFA spokesperson Sanjeeb Mishra said, “The date of the election will be fixed once the court settles the issue and how the FIFA and AAFC will look into the matter.”

The establishment faction has also been accused of hatching a conspiracy to foil the election fearing that it could lose the election.

FIFA would suspend the ANFA if the election was not held on time.  As a result, Nepal would not get a chance to play international matches and would not get help from the FIFA.

ANFA President Narendra Shrestha, who was elected the president for one year in October 2016 to fill the void left by the suspension of Ganesh Thapa. Fifa suspended Thapa in November 2015 for 10 years on bribery and corruption charges.

Anfa senior vice president Mani Kunwar and former vice-president Karma Chhiring Sherpa are fighting for the top post. Altogether 35 candidates have filed nominations for 11-member executive election.

The general secretary and treasurer will be nominated by the executive committee. Sherpa said it was too early to comment of the latest development and that everyone should respect the court verdict.

The general assembly of Anfa have 77 votes including one each from 45 district associations and one each from 14 ‘A’ division clubs. The ‘B’ and ‘C’ division clubs will have nine and five votes while four committees – players, coaches, referee and women commission will have one vote each.