Princess Haya herself introduced the concept of two four-year terms as the limit on the FEI President's time in office when she was first elected in 2006.

But in November, 100 of the FEI's 132 member federations signed a petition calling for an Extraordinary General Assembly to amend the regulations to allow Princess Haya to stay in office, and in doing so retain her International Olympic Committee membership.

That meeting has been taking place today in Lausanne.

Ahead of the vote on whether the FEI's statutes should be changed to allow for a third Presidential term, Princess Haya excused herself from the pre-vote discussions and the vote itself.

FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos instead chaired the meeting.

A total of 103 National Federations voted in favour of the amendment, with three votes against and no abstentions.

Members also voted to apply the same term rules to all FEI Bureau members.

National Federations voted overwhelmingly to allow a third four-year term for Presidents and FEI Bureau members ©FEI



Announcing after the vote her intention to stand for re-election for a third and final four-year term as President, Princess Haya - daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan - said: "I always felt that when people are given a responsibility, given faith and given belief they are given an opportunity to do well in their lives and that's what you've always given to me.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, it's a huge honour.

"I'm very honoured for the opportunity you've given me to be available as a future President of the FEI for a third term.

"I don't want to go further than that today because I do believe there's the possibility that there'll be other candidates and I believe they should be given the opportunity to come forward.

"But at the same time you have my commitment to you."

Princess Haya said in September that she would not seek another term as President, insisting: her "views on the benefits of a two-term limit have not changed since the day I was elected".

If she is re-elected, she will remain as President until November 2018.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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