Saturday, March 12 2005 11:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) T S Krishnamurthy yesterday (Mar 11, 2005) said Indian democracy was in a position to help other countries in the world with the election process.

"Even the United Nations has recognised that India could enrich other democracies in the world," the CEC said after receiving the Presidential award given to him by the Priysdarshni Academy in Mumbai.

The Election Commission was used to criticism and it will try to keep the spirit of democracy going, he said.

Later, speaking to reporters, he refused to comment on whether fresh elections would be called in Bihar. "I do want to speak on the basis of speculations," he said adding that the Commission was only responsible for conducting the elections and not with the result.

Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Minister for Finance and Planning Jayant Patil said corrupt practices in elections are still existent and added that with officials like Krishnamurthy in-charge, things are definitely improving.

"The way in which Bihar elections were held shows improvement in the election process," Patil said adding, but still more needs to be done on this front.

On the occasion, B G Deshmukh, chairman of NGO, AGNI, producers of Marathi film 'Shwaas' and leading writers were given awards for their works.