THE Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) has confirmed that the leaders elected in the upcoming elections will not serve a full four-year term as mandated by the committee's constitution. Instead, they will hold office for only three years due to delays in holding the elections.

TOC secretary general Filbert Bayi explained that while the committee’s constitution stipulates a four-year term for elected members, the upcoming elections - whose date remains uncertain - will result in a shortened tenure. 

The delay is due to the pending approval of TOC’s amended constitution by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Initially, TOC’s leadership elections were scheduled for December 14 last year, later postponed to December 28, but eventually cancelled because the process began before the new constitution was ratified. 

According to IOC election guidelines, member countries must hold elections within six months after the Olympic Games, but the acting Registrar of Clubs and Sports Associations called off the elections due to unresolved constitutional issues.

Bayi emphasized that elections will not take place on a government-set date unless funding is secured. TOC is awaiting TZS 75 million from the IOC to conduct the elections, as no formal request has been made for financial support due to the uncertainty of the election date.

"Those elected will serve for only three years and a few months. The elections were cancelled last December and will take place on a date announced by the government. 

“However, we cannot hold the elections immediately on the government’s set date without securing the necessary funding. If the government agrees to finance the process, we will proceed as scheduled," Bayi said.

Before the election cancellation, 27 candidates had expressed interest in various TOC positions. Bayi assured that those who paid to collect nomination forms would receive refunds.

In a previous interview, Bayi revealed that TOC's funds for this year’s elections had already been exhausted. However, the committee has informed the IOC about the situation, and the international governing body is expected to release the necessary funds next month.

The elections will fill 12 positions following recent amendments to TOC’s constitution. These changes have restructured the roles of secretary general and treasurer, making them appointed rather than elected positions.

The new committee will consist of five members from Mainland Tanzania and five from Zanzibar, with each side required to have at least two female representatives. 

TOC has emphasized its commitment to gender balance, ensuring that women candidates are adequately represented in leadership positions.