British Cycling's chairman has formally objected to an attempt to change the election procedure for the presidency of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and branded the move as "attempted dictatorship".

Brian Cookson is challenging president Pat McQuaid, who did not received the required backing from his own federation, Cycling Ireland. Now, however, the UCI's rulebook is to be changed to allow candidates to be nominated by two other federations, even if they are not supported by their own country. This would come into force retrospectively allowing McQuaid to stand.

Cookson said: "The efforts to change the nomination and electoral process announced last night - are a clear sign of desperation from the incumbent, Pat McQuaid. This latest twist appears to be nothing more than a fraught attempt to undemocratically and unconstitutionally impact on the process while it is under way.

"It is no wonder that many in the cycling family, as well as fans and sponsors, have lost faith in the UCI to govern ethically when the man at the top of the organisation is prepared to embarrass an entire sport in an attempt to try to cling on to power. What sort of organisation attempts to rewrite the rules once an election has actually begun? It smacks of attempted dictatorship."

Cookson has formally objected in writing to UCI director general Christophe Hubschmid. Mike Plant, the former head of US Cycling and a UCI management committee member, has also written to Hubschmid to complain. He wrote: "The timing of this significant change - less than 60 days from a very contested, globally visible and important election is unconscionable, unethical, dishonest, unprofessional, manipulative and destructive."

The change has been put forward by the Malaysian Federation on the basis that it will take effect retrospectively, allowing McQuaid to stand and be nominated by the Thai, Moroccan and Swiss federations.

The UCI president said he welcomed his nomination, adding in a statement: "No-one has changed the rules. No-one has broken the rules. I have received enormous support from federations around the world urging me to stand for re- election. There was nothing stopping Brian Cookson from showing an interest in cycling around the world over the years by joining other federations that would have allowed him to secure additional nominations when he decided to stand. I respect that his horizons, however, do not stretch much further than British Cycling."

* Erik Zabel, a 12-time Tour de France stage winner, has been suspended from as sprint coach for Katusha after his "years of doping" admission, the Russian team has said.