NEW DELHI: Reigning Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha has lost the crucial Sportspersons of Oustanding Merit (SOMs) elections held on Monday. As a result, she would not be eligible to run for a second term at the top of Indian sport. Saina Nehwal, Rani Rampal, Anju Bobby George and Dola Banerjee have been elected as the four women.PT Usha and Anitha Paul Durai were the two ex-athletes who contested the online elections but didn’t find enough support.Ex-athlete Anju Bobby George (53) garnered the most votes in the six-way race, ahead of ex-hockey captain Rani Rampal (50), former archer Dola Banerjee (45) and ex-shuttler Saina Nehwal (43). PT Usha (40) and Durai (6) lost out.The four were chosen by 80 of their peers who had initially showcased interest in contesting the IOA SOMs Elections. The elections were conducted virtually on the right2vote online platform.Earlier, the process for the IOA SOMs among the men went through with Gagan Narang, Vijender Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt and Kamlesh Mehta getting elected unopposed.They all will now eligible to contest the IOA elections, scheduled for December 5, for the president’s post.After the defeat in the IOA SOMs elections, PT Usha has one avenue closed to earn a second term as the president of the Olympic body. Another avenue exists if she is nominated to General Assembly by a national sports federation (NSF), which is unlikely.On the eve of the crucial elections and result, PT Usha had lodged a complaint with the Electoral Officer (RO) Sanjay K Srivastava alleging that Dola Banerjee had violated the Model Code of Conduct by circulating a WhatsApp message soliciting votes.In her complaint, Usha objected to a WhatsApp message circulated through an account bearing Banerjee’s name, seeking support for the ‘New Bharat Panel’ and specifically asking voters to elect four named candidates, along with their ballot serial numbers and roll numbers.Usha cited Clause 1.9 of the Model Code of Conduct, issued on October 30, which states that the promotion of a candidate shall exclude any form of publicity, including the use of new media or social networks.She contended that the circulation of the message amounted to targeted solicitation of votes through social media and appeared to fall within the ambit of the clause.The complaint also referred to Clauses 1.2 and 1.3, which require candidates to conduct their campaigns fairly, with dignity and moderation, and show due respect to other candidates.Usha had urged the election authorities to examine the communication, establish the circumstances under which it was created and circulated, and seek an explanation from the concerned persons.She has also sought appropriate action under the applicable election rules if a violation is established, besides directions to ensure a level playing field for all candidates.As a result, the Model Code of Conduct was reiterated by the Electoral Officer before the votes were registered from 9am until 5pm on Monday.Mass withdrawals mar IOA Athletes Commission, SOMs electionsBefore the six women went through the elections and four men came through unopposed, there were mass withdrawals. As many as 13 ex-athletes — eight male and five female — opted out, which set alarm bells ringing.Much like the elections in 2022, government involvement has been observed this time around as well. Ex-wrestler Dutt and former boxer Vijender are BJP leaders, while ex-shooter Narang shifted base to Ahmedabad recently. Former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta, too, is seen close to the government. Among the women, Nehwal, who is considered a strong contender for the IOA top job, joined the BJP in 2020.Before the IOA SOM Elections, the process for the Athletes Commission went through without the need for any votes. PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Harmanpreet Singh, Salima Tete, Swapnil Kusale, Bhavani Devi, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Bombayla Devi, Sajan Prakash and Manjeet Singh were named in the panel. Subsequently, Sindhu was named chairperson and Harmanpreet the vice-chairperson, finding a spot in the IOA Executive Council. Chanu and Sajan Prakash, meanwhile, have been elected as athlete representatives to the IOA General Body and will have the right to vote in the IOA Elections on December 5.