Scandals at the Ethics Commission Chairman elections

The FIDE General Assembly takes part 21-22 September, parallel to the Chess Olympiad 2024. In an unprecedented mockery of democratic norms, the chairman of the most important commission in FIDE was elected. Developing story, stay tuned for updates

The morning session was chaired by FIDE President Arkadij Dvorkovich. The delegates quickly elected Allen Priest of the Chairman of FIDE Verification Commission and Roberto Rivello of the Chairman of FIDE Constitutional Commission, as they were the only candidates for the positions.

The key part of FIDE General Assembly day 1 came after the lunch break – the election of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission chairman. Chessdom had extensive preview article on the EDC election here The EDC chairman election started with Vishy Anand welcoming the delegates back to the hall, as President Dvorkovich had another event to attend. Anand invited Roberto Rivello to chair the EDC election.

Roberto Rivello started no questions no public questions allowed to the EDC candidates. “You had plenty of time to ask in advance […] we will use a lot of time if we allow questions […] In ECU and other institutions it is allowed, but in this session we have to respect the existing [FIDE] rules.” Delegates protested that EDC CVs were received late and that they are not fully acquainted with the candidates. Malcolm Pein from the English Chess Federation protested, “This is a very important post. Maybe the most important post in the organization. And it is not a good look for us if the members of the General Assembly cannot ask questions to the candidates, particularly when we have received their CVs less than 24h before the meeting. It really looks bad.” He was seconded by ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili and German President Ingrid Lauterbach, but Roberto Rivello insisted that no time should be wasted.

Roberto Rivello proceeded to asking the candidates to vote. A total of 176 delegates… made 220 votes! Malcolm Pein commented, “We have to congratulate ourselves, we got more votes than Vladimir Putin would get!” The procedure was tainted by one more issue. The Croatian delegate Alojzije Jankovic alerted that delegates are taking photos of the voting tablets.

As the problems amounted – no questions asked, photos of tablets taken, illegal votes registered – Roberto Rivello asked for 30 mins break.

At that point the live broadcast of the FIDE GA interrupted. But a huge scandal is going on the the hall. The 220 votes read as follows – Yolander 110, Florea 64, Babaev 40. Delegates ask, “Is the system programmed to self destruct upon unfavorable voting?”

Read: Malcolm Pein, “Elections of EDC chairman are a farce!”

Amid the huge scandal that exploded in the hall, the live broadcast was interrupted. The loud discussions continued, while the session moved towards traditional voting.

Now: Ballots, observers, and scrutineers are being prepared. Mobile phones will not be allowed.

The story so far

Aug 21 Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation submits resolution to restore the full membership rights of RCF

Aug 22 David Llada talks about systematically to reward submission

Sept 1 Alexander Kamyshin is the new President of Ukrainian Chess Federation

Sept 7 Babur Tolbaev is among the candidates for FIDE Ethics Commission chairman

Sept 9 Russia most probably has the votes to pass the Kyrgyz resolution

Sept 9 Kamyshin: I will personally attend the FIDE General Assembly

Sept 12 Garry Kasparov supports Alexander Kamyshin

Sept 12 Malcolm Pein for BBC, “Russia’s control of FIDE is absolute”

Sept 16 Vasyl Ivanchuk and the Olympic teams of Ukraine protest against Kyrgyz motion

Sept 17 FIDE Congress – national federations at risk of losing government funding

Sept 18 FIDE Council rejects Russian / Kyrgyz proposal

Sept 19 Magnus Carlsen: I would have voted against the Russian/Kyrgyz proposal to lift sanctions on Russia

Sept 19 Kasparov: I would say the same on the Russian/Kyrgyz proposal

Sept 20 First reaction by Chess Federation of Russia

Sept 20 Vice President Of CFR: Magnus should return all his money that he earned in Russia (+Filatov statement)

Sept 20 A dark horse in FIDE Ethics Commission elections