"Our view is the present system is working satisfactorily, very well. We have been able to conduct reasonably efficient election management with the present dispensation.
"The view of the Election Commission has always been that Model Code is an effective instrument in the hands of Election Commission in election management. Anything that anyone wants to do will be certainly part of a larger public debate," Sampath told reporters after assuming office.
During the recent elections there had been statements by some government functionaries that the MCC be given a statutory backing, which the Commission feels will dent its powers to handle election code violations speedily during the poll period.
On the collegium-type appointment for CEC, Sampath, who assumed charge as the 18th Chief Election Commissioner, said, "Regarding the collegium, at this point of time I would like to attend to the tasks at hand."
Replying to questions, he said the electoral reform proposals are "at last mile stage" and expressed the hope that they will be carried forward.
"The reforms proposals are at last mile stage...We do hope that this will be carried forward. Whatever is in the realm of the Commission, we will certainly do to expedite the implementation of electoral reforms," Sampath said.
On electoral reforms, which have been hanging fire for a long time, he said the Commission will strive for the early implementation of electoral reforms which are key for putting an end to criminalisation of politics and undue influence of money power in electoral arena. (MORE)