At the opening of the Extraordinary Congress here today, incumbent IBA President Umar Kremlev announced the delay.

The Dutch Boxing Federation President Van der Vorst - and four other candidates for the Board of Directors - were ruled ineligible by the Interim Nomination Unit of the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) for "collaboration between candidates" and "electoral campaigning outside the electoral period".

"Many of you will be wondering what the situation is with regard to today's elections," said Kremlev in his opening speech at the IBA Extraordinary Congress.

"You will know that the Interim Nomination Unit made certain decisions yesterday about eligibility.

"You may also know that an appeal has been filed to CAS.

"And you also know that fairness is very important to me.

"For this season, the IBA election for President will not take place today.

"I have discussed this with the IBA Legal Counsel and with Koko [IBA secretary general István Kovács].

"This will allow for CAS and for the ineligible candidates time to do their legal work."

Van der Vorst was ruled out of the elections yesterday along with USA Boxing executive director Mike McAtee, Boxing New Zealand President Steve Hartley, President of the Swedish Boxing Federation Per-Axel Sjöholm and President of the Danish Boxing Federation Lars Brovil.

Their unofficial working group called the Common Cause Alliance - which claimed it would like to work with IBA towards governance reform with an aim at being reinstated at the Olympic Games - has been accused by two National Federations of acting under another boxing organisation.

Complaints were made by Serbia and Venezuela on April 11 and 13 regarding an introductory letter sent by the 20-strong group on March 29 about their willingness to work with the Board.

They had looked to speak directly with Kremlev in January too.

The five affected candidates released a statement declaring their intention to appeal after the BIIU ruling.

"The candidates acknowledge but do not agree with the Interim Nomination Unit's ruling, given the conflicting 'not guilty' verdict of the IBA Disciplinary Committee on May 11, 2022," it read.

"The candidates have been in communication with their legal team, which has filed an emergency appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"The candidates stated they ran their campaigns calling for a change of IBA leadership and culture, financial accountability, proper governance, sustainable management, ethical behaviour inside and outside the field of play. 

"They will continue to fight for this cause and will use all legal avenues available to them."

Only the first nine items on the agenda of 14 at today's Extraordinary Congress went ahead 

The Presidential election, the acceptance speech for the elected President, the Audit Committee election and the IBA independent directors election were postponed.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Vanuatu's memberships remained suspended following a majority vote.

Kovács also gave his secretary general report and there was a presentation from the Governance Reform Group.

The second day of the Extraordinary Congress is set to take place tomorrow.