The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) has approved the results of the Board of Directors election 2026 of the National Federation of Fish Farmers’ Cooperatives Ltd. (FISHCOPFED), bringing the election process to a close and paving the way for the newly elected board to take charge.
As per the election recommendations approved by the CEA on July 15, 2026, 10 directors have been elected out of a total vacancy of 14. Among the 10 elected directors, nine were elected unopposed. Election took place in the Western Zone constituency in which Maharashtra cooperator Prakash Marotrao Lonare defeated Premkumar Dashrath Gajbhare by 15 votes to 2. According to Lonare, around 22 members cast their votes, while the remaining eligible voters abstained.
New Board Composition
The newly elected Board comprises Dr. Manoj Kumar – NCDC Nominee (Corporation Constituency), Lateef Ahmad Dar (North Zone), R.H. Gadhvi and Prakash Marotrao Lonare (West Zone), Jagpoojan Sahani (Central Zone), Katta Lingam (South Zone), Jayashree Garnaik and Sanjay Kewat (East Zone) and Rajulal Debbarma and S. Made Gowda (North-East Zone).
Four Seats Remained Vacant
Although the Board has a sanctioned strength of 14 directors, four positions remain vacant.
Three vacancies arose because no nominations were received for one seat each in the North, Central and South Zone constituencies.
The fourth vacancy is in the Corporation Constituency, which has two seats. Since the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was the only eligible member in this constituency, Dr. Manoj Kumar was elected unopposed to one seat, while the second seat remained vacant.
In addition, one position on the Board is reserved for a Government nominee from the Ministry of Fisheries, who is expected to be nominated separately as per the prescribed timeline.
Approval of Recommendations of the Returning Officer
The FISHCOPFED Returning Officer in its recommendation to the Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) informed that the election was conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the MSCS Amendment Act, 2023. The recommendation in form 19 (M) was accepted by CEA vide its letter did. 15th July, 2026.
Dispute in FISHCOPFED Elections
What makes the current approval of election results by CEA is its timing. Earlier, on July 9, 2026 Sole Arbitrator Kalyan Sahai Meena, a retired IAS officer appointed under Section 84 of the MSCS Act, 2002, delivered a 320-page award holding that Fishcopfed’s 2021 board election was legally unsustainable and ordering a fresh poll. That finding arrived after the CEA had already notified and substantially completed the very fresh election.
As a result, there were speculations that the FISHCOPFED election 2026 might again land in legal arena. However approval of the recommendation of the returning officer concerning the election results by the CEA put all such speculation at rest.
Update: As per the fresh letter dtd. 19th July, 2026 from Cooperative Election Authority to the Returning Officer of FISHCOPFED Election 2026 i.e District Magistrate (South East), New Delhi, the election programme has been scheduled. Now the nomination form Central Government shall be received on or before 28th July, 2026. Election for the office-bearers i.e. Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall take place from 29-30 July, 2026. Meeting of the newly constituted board and declaration of result of election of office bearers shall take place on 30th July, 2026, 11.00 AM onwards.
