The All Nepal Football Association had scheduled candidates’ application submission for the early elections on January 17. It planned to verify the applications on January 20.

However, the Patan High Court has asked the governing body of Nepali football not to move forward with the process.

A single bench of Justice Kripasur Karki on Monday gave such an order over a case filed by Amit Khatri, a former employee at the secretariat of ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang.

“The bench analysed the case’s application and attached documents alongside hearing the arguments of senior advocate Bhimarjun Acharya and advocates Apurba Khatiwoda, Suman Kumar KC and Rochak Regmi,” the order states. “But regarding the interim order, it shall be decided only after hearing the arguments from both parties. The hearing has been slated for January 20.”

Nonetheless, the High Court issued a temporary interim order until the hearing takes place. “Until then, the defendants shall be informed not to conduct the process related to the elections as per the schedule made public on January 5 at Naya Patrika daily,” the order states.

The ANFA has planned early elections on February 11 in Jhapa. However, some ANFA executive committee members alongside stakeholders from the district and provincial bodies have deemed the step illogical, citing that a fresh mandate cannot be practised without elections at the district and provincial levels.

Organising a press meet on January 3, ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai had defended the move, stating that it complied with the ANFA Statute, and that there was no need for elections at the lower level.