Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti has rejected the opposition's charge that the poll panel is working under the pressure of ruling party. <br/><br/>In an interview with a news agency, Mr. Joti said the Commission does not meddle in the poll campaign and asserted that no special preference is being given to any political party. <br/><br/>He said the poll body has given equal opportunity to all political parties and has not directed any party to hold or not to hold their rallies in the state. <br/><br/>Mr. Joti said multiple factors including the weather came into play while deciding to hold elections in Himachal Pradesh earlier than Gujarat. <br/><br/>He said political parties and the state administration in Himachal Pradesh had requested to conduct the polls before mid-November as there was the probability of snowfall in three districts of the hill state. <br/><br/>The CEC asserted that the Commission will plan the poll schedule in Gujarat in a way that the outcome of Himachal should not affect the voting in Gujarat.<br/><br/>Further referring to the Gujarat floods, the CEC averred that the state had to undergo restoration before elections could be organised. <br/><br/>Mr. Joti also underlined the fact that the government staff which will carry out the restoration work is the same which will carry out services during the elections. <br/><br/>The CEC said the panel will be preparing a database for the staff as more than 2.5 lakh government employees will be required for election duties. <br/><br/>He also said the Commission has commenced discussions with the Home Ministry with regard to security and administrative staff deployment for the polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.