With embattled UCI president Pat McQuaid in an intense contest for his job against British challenger Brian Cookson, the cycling body's election rules are set to be changed.
The International Cycling Union said late on Monday it is preparing an amendment to its statutes, which could safeguard McQuaid's nomination for the September election.
Cookson has denounced the tactic as "a clear sign of desperation" by his opponent, who must also give up his International Olympic Committee membership if the presidency is lost.
McQuaid is trying to secure a valid candidacy after his home Irish federation withdrew its support and a nomination from Switzerland, where he lives, is being legally challenged next month.
Malaysian officials now propose changing rules which would allow any two UCI members worldwide, not just home federations, to nominate a candidate - despite the original deadline passing in June.
McQuaid's bid for a third four-year term is being waged against widespread attacks on the UCI and its credibility.
Those intensified in fallout from the Lance Armstrong doping affair and continued revelations of an endemic culture of doping while the UCI was led by McQuaid's predecessor and mentor, Hein Verbruggen.
The UCI has pledged to create an independent panel to investigate claims it colluded in protecting Armstrong from scrutiny during his career, and that $US125,000 donated by the now-disgraced American rider was paid to cover up suspicious doping tests.
Cookson was nominated by British Cycling, which he has led for 17 years.
He promises to restore cycling's reputation and create an independent body running the sport's anti-doping program.
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