By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – The row over voting procedures at Friday’s FIFA presidential election has taken another remarkable step with Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein writing to the entire FIFA membership to explain why he has called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to consider postponing the ballot unless fairness and transparency can be guaranteed.
With the race to succeed Sepp Blatter becoming increasingly fraught in the final days of lobbying, Prince Ali is urging FIFA’s 209 federations to back his call for transparent voting booths to avoid ballot papers being photographed.
“The FIFA Presidential election should go ahead as planned but only if it is free, fair and honest,” wrote the Jordanian, who is concerned his chances of victory are being seriously hindered by possible deals and pacts and is stopping at nothing to make sure individual federations are not forced to vote against their consciences.
The CAS are due to make a ruling no later than Thursday’s morning and Prince Ali, who lost to Blatter in May, continued: “Nearly two weeks ago, on February 11th, I wrote to the FIFA Ad Hoc Electoral Committee concerned about reports that voters would again be under pressure to photograph their ballots to prove that they voted as directed, as happened in the last election.”
“I offered a solution to provide transparent voting booths. FIFA agreed that the integrity of the election could be compromised but rejected the use of transparent voting booths. FIFA’s alternative plan is to tell delegates to leave their mobile phones outside the voting booths. This proposal is unenforceable and without sanction.
“On February 22nd, I appealed to CAS and requested an expedited hearing to resolve the matter before Friday’s election. FIFA blocked an expedited hearing. I want this election to occur as soon as possible, but not at the risk of undermining its integrity. The transparent voting booths are now in Zurich and available for use in Friday’s election.
The eyes of the world are on this election. Everything must be done to ensure that its integrity is intact.”
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