The elective general assembly of Nepal Olympic Committee’s, which was scheduled for Friday, has been suspended following a Supreme Court’s order on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court had issued an interim order to put the Olympic Committee election on hold, acting on the writ petition filed by Kamal Bahadur Chitrakar, one of the executive committee members of the NOC which is recognised by the court. The other NOC has the recognition of the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia. The court has called both the parties for further discussion on Sunday.

Issuing a notice on Thursday, a committee formed to hold the NOC election, has said that the election scheduled for Friday has been called off until further notice. Jeevan Ram Shrestha led-committee was deemed illegal by the Supreme Court verdict on October 4, 2010, and reinstated former President Rukma Sumsher Rana-led committee.

The Shrestha-led committee has been coordinating for Nepali teams’ international participation abroad. It has also been receiving funds from the IOC. Even the National Sports Council—the sports’ governing body of the country—has also been coordinating with the Shrestha-led committee. “We have received the court verdict and have decided to call off the election. A further decision regarding the election will be made only after Court’s hearing,” said Shrestha who will be vying for the top post for the second time. Former vice-president Umesh Lal Shrestha is the other candidate for president. Umesh Lal is standing again having lost the Jeeven Ram four years ago.

Kumar Tandon has been re-elected treasurer unopposed and National Sports Council vice-president Pitambar Timsina deputy general secretary. Of the 27 eligible voters, 26 have filed candidacy for one or the other posts in the election that is set to pick 29-member executive committee. Eight individuals are in the fray for the five available berths for vice-presidents. Purendra Bikram Lakhe and Nilendra Raj Shrestha are fighting for general secretary post. Four individuals have announced candidacy for three posts of vice presidents while eight candidates have filed nominations for seven posts available for members.