Hyderabad: Continuing his opposition to the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) J M Lyngdoh on August 9 said such a course would lead to 'sub-standard elections' and inadequate police deployment, giving scope for "cheating and unfair polling".

"We have some notorious states, each needing about 400 companies of para-military forces (for polling duties). At no stage did the Home Ministry provide us 400 companies at a time," he told reporters.

Lyngdoh said constitutional changes would be needed if the country were to opt for simultaneous polls.

Even while agreeing that simultaneous polls might help reduce the cost of elections, Lyngdoh said it would lead to sub-standard elections.

"Where are these one million policemen (needed for polling duties in the event of simultaneous polls) going to come from, unless they are coming from Pakistan?" Lyngdoh wondered.

Asked about possibility of simultaneous polls being a staggered affair, he said, "The issue is not about staggered exercise, but about practicality."

When asked whether the Commission is ready if Lok Sabha polls are to be advanced, the CEC replied in the affirmative.

Declining to give any deadline for election schedule in the five states going to polls later in 2003, he said, "In one of the states, the election process has to be completed by December. So, polls will be held before that."

PTI