New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS): The sports ministry Thursday asked the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to hold election afresh within 90 days after amending its constitution in adherence to the government guidelines pertaining to the age and tenure limits.

BAI conducted the election in June in defiance of the government guidelines, allowing V.K.Verma to be elected president for a fourth term in contravention of the ministry-fixed three-term tenure.

Shankar Lal, under secretary, sports ministry, referring to the reply of BAI to the government's show-cause notice, pointed out the anomalies in election process.

"BAI has not followed proper procedure in its election."

"BAI has not only violated the government guidelines which makes it liable to de-recognition, but has also violated its own constitutional provisions in not following due process in the conduct of election of its office-bearers which makes it liable for de-registration as the national sports federation.

"The government hereby grants BAI a last opportunity (90 days) to amend its constitution in accordance with the guidelines for recognition of National Sports Federation under the scheme of assistance and hold fresh election in fair, democratic and transparent manner following due process in accordance with the well-formulated bye-laws," Lal wrote to BAI Thursday.

Pointing out the discrepancies, he said: "The election notice was not received by several members for which there has been no satisfactory response.

"The returning officer was not appointed prior to the commencement of the election process. As per the documents furnished, the returning officer was appointed on the day of the AGM, just before holding the elections.

"The returning officer reported that there were more than one candidate for the posts of vice president and general secretary. However, some members, including the president, used pressure tactics to persuade the additional candidates to withdraw.

"The returning officer has concluded that government guidelines regarding age and tenure of office-bearers should have been brought to his notice in advance, but the election was held fraudulently ad deceitfully and by making him a privy to the whole exercise."