Chennai, Jan 19: The Chief Election Commissioner-designate, T S Krishna Murthy, said here today that the three-member Election Commission would discuss and decide the 'strategy' on the holding of Lok Sabha polls only after the present house was dissolved. "The Election Commission is getting ready. We have convened a meeting of all Chief Electoral Officers in the first week of February in Delhi, to ascertain the position in each state, in regard to electoral rolls and readiness of law and order machinery', he said when pti spoke to him at his residence before his departure to Delhi this evening.

"I am happy about the news, though officially I have not yet received anything', he said reacting to his appointment. Earlier, speaking to some electronic media, the 1963 batch IRS officer, said since it was the collective responsibility of all the three members, the commission would sit and decide about holding the poll as early as possible. "Holding election itself was a big task".

Electronic voting machines would be used for the first time in all Lok Sabha constituencies. Eight lakh machines were readily available now. 'we need many more and we are prepared for that also", he said.

Replying to another question, he said the EC always ensured a 'free and fair' poll and it would not allow any 'malpractices' to take place. Bureau Report