Philippe Candeloro’s FFSG election challenged by Noury

Philippe Candeloro’s election as president of the French Ice Sports Federation is being challenged by his defeated rival, Gwenaëlle Noury. The former president has brought the dispute before the French National Olympic and Sports Committee after receiving no response so far from the federation’s electoral oversight commission.

Candeloro won the June 27 runoff with 51.35% of the vote. Noury had led the first round with 38.62%, but did not secure the support of Gérard Balthazard, who finished third. The final margin was 44 votes, making the handling of the electronic ballot central to the challenge.

Noury’s case focuses on a voting-system error acknowledged in writing by the service provider. At least 18 ballots cast during the second round were submitted through the page intended for the first round, for candidates who were no longer competing. Those ballots were subsequently declared invalid. Noury argues that the available evidence does not establish that the problem was limited to those 18 votes.

Assisted by former sports minister and lawyer Thierry Braillard, Noury is asking for the result to be examined on the grounds that every club must have been able to cast its vote properly. The CNOSF is expected to issue its conclusions in the coming days.