Chief Election Commissioner, CEC, V S Sampath today said that national level consultations are on for early implementation of electoral reforms.

Briefing the media after taking over as the 18th Chief Election Commissioner of India in New Delhi today, Mr. Sampath said, consultations were held by the Law Ministry and Election Commission in this regard.

He said, discussions were also held at the regional level, to know the opinion of the public, legal luminaries and other stake holders in the electoral process. He said, as the new CEC, he would strive towards expediting electoral reforms.

Mr. Sampath said, the Election Commission is preparing for the elections to the offices of the President of India and the Vice President of India which will be notified soon.

He said, the Commission is also engaged in the preparations for the forthcoming elections in the States of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. Mr. Sampath said, the Election Commission will soon visit the poll bound states to take stock of the preparedness.

Mr. Sampath said, the priorities for action set by him include clean electoral rolls, free registration for eligible persons and removal of ineligible persons from the voters list. He said, efforts woud continue to cleanse the electoral process from the influence of crime and money power.

He said, care should be taken by political parties to keep the legal expenses for rallies, posters and vehicles within the limit. The new CEC said, illegal expenses bribery of voters in cash and kind will be checked.