New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) T S Krishna Murthy today (May 6, 2004) dismissed suggestions that the commission was "dragging its feet" on the free saree distribution in Prime Minister's Lucknow constituency, which led to a stampede killing 22 people, saying it would pronounce its decision only after proper investigation and verification.

"When courts take years, we take decisions within one or two months. We have to take a right decision, judicious decision and fair decision. We will go only by proper investigation, proper verification of facts," he told Karan Thapar's "Tonight at 10" programme in CNBC channel.

To a question that the commission was prompt in giving its decision on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti's alleged intimidation of voters, but was "dragging its feet" on the Lucknow incident, Murthy said the commission's primary objective was to conduct elections and not involve itself in so many actions about model code of conduct.

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Observing that the commission received hundreds of complaints and hundreds of people wanting to meet the commission, he said that if every complaint should be decided in a particular time frame, the commission would not be able to conduct the elections.

"We have a system of every complaint being looked into. People should know that we have to analyse each one of the complaint and take decision on the basis of information and evidence available," he said, adding that if they cannot understand that, "I am afraid they are not fair and they are not correct."

Denying the charge that the commission did not take sufficient preventive measures in Bihar for the conduct of smooth polls, Murthy said in the matter of arrangements, the "best possible" deployment of observers and para military forces was made.

"I am sure when the election process is over, the political parties will realise the improved quality of elections now," the CEC said.

Refusing to be drawn into Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy's charge that adequate security was not provided in the entire Chapra constituency, he said the report of the two-member probe team was "under preparation".

On the issue of exit polls, the CEC, preferring the "legislative route", said the "commission would go back to the Government and tell them what needs to be done".

Asked if the commission could appeal to the newspapers against exit polls, he said, "The appeal may have no significance.

"As far as we are concerned any action we take, it must be positive," Murthy said, stressing the legislative route was best.

In response to a question on Patna High Court order on countermanding of polls in seats won by criminals, the CEC said there were "certain practical difficulties" in its implementation and the Supreme Court judgement in this regard would have to be awaited.

"The Election Commission is very serious about persons who are charged with criminal offence, they should be disqualified," the CEC said, adding it had already recommended to the Government disqualification of people chargesheeted prima facie by a court for an offence that was punishable with imprisonment for five years and more.

Observing that there were various factors for lower turnout, he said he expected the final vote turnout to be range of 50 to 60 per cent.

Defending charges that there were discrepancies in the electoral rolls, he said in a country of India's size, it was a mammoth task. "Although the primary responsibility is of the commission, political parties and the voters too should be vigilant towards any deletion/addition in the rolls," he said.

The commission would analyse the whole process and corrective measures in this regard, he said, adding in many cases the voters had "no active interest" in verifying their names in the rolls.