The elections, which will take place on November 25, are the source of great controversy due to what the IOC attributes to "confusion surrounding the status of Suresh Kalmadi", the former chairman of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Kalmadi has been IOA President since 1996 but was temporarily replaced by Vijay Kumar Malhotra after he was arrested in April 2011 and kept in prison for 10 months for corruption charges linked to Delhi 2010.

Kalmadi will not be able to stand for IOA Presidency for a fifth term because, under controversial new rules introduced by the Indian Government, officials at the country's national governing sports bodies are not allowed to serve more than three four-year terms in the same post.

Vijay Kumar Malhotra replaced Suresh Kalmadi after he was arrested on corruption charges linked to Delhi 2010

Malhotra originally warned that he would not accept IOC observers at the elections but following the threat of suspension, the IOA have bowed to pressure and will have the observers present on November 25 for the first time since the National Olympic Committee was founded in 1927.

"In our letter to the IOA, we have confirmed that the IOC and the OCA [Olympic Council of Asia] will send observers to the IOA Elective General Assembly on November 25," an IOC spokeswoman told DNA.

Malhotra said that despite his reluctance to have the observers in place, he could not afford to start a conflict with the IOC, as it would be too costly for the IOA.

"If they are going to send observers, then so be it," said Malhotra, who is not allowed to stand for IOA Presidency at the elections having reached the age limit of 80.

"We have made our position clear on it but we have no option but to accept, even though unwillingly."

The IOC has continually expressed its unhappiness over the lack of transparency in the IOA's functioning, particularly the case regarding the status of Kalmadi, and it is continuing to press for answers.

"The IOC has been repeatedly asking the National Olympic Committee [IOA] to conduct a proper enquiry [into the Kalmadi issue] but unfortunately we have not seen any action so far," continued the IOC spokeswoman.

"We will continue to press for such an investigation to take place and should the situation remain unchanged, we might ask our ethics commission to look into the matter."

Randhir Singh (left) could be set to replace Suresh Kalmadi (right), currently embroiled in a corruption scandal, as President of the Indian Olympic Association

The IOA elections are further clouded by the fact that Abhay Singh Chautala, one of Kalmadi's closest allies, is set to challenge Randhir Singh for IOA Presidency.

Singh, the current IOA secretary general, is the preferred choice of the IOC as the 65-year-old has been an IOC member since 2001.

However, Chautala, who was recently elected as the first chairman of the Indian Boxing Federation having served three terms as President, will be a strong candidate as he will be backed by the Kalmadi supporters.

In addition, signs of Kalmadi looking to retain control of the IOA are further evident as another of his close allies Lalit Bhanot, the former general secretary of Delhi 2010, is expected to stand for the secretary general position being vacated by Singh.

Lalit Bhanot (left), arrested on corruption charges linked to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, is a close ally of Suresh Kalmadi (right) and is being lined up to run for the general secretary of the Indian Olympic Association

Bhanot was arrested along with Kalmadi after also being accused of corruption during the build-up to the Commonwealth Games and the pair remain close.

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