Role of black money in elections, threat to voters from Maoists, mushroom growth of political parties and casual approach of urban voters impede the electoral process in the country, Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has said.

"Role of black money is the biggest problem. We admit that we have failed to curb it. In the 30 days' of the election process we cannot contain black money," he said last night at a seminar on 'Indian Elections 2009 - Trends and Perspectives'.

Quraishi also spoke of the fire power of the Maoists, deterring voters from exercising their franchise.

He expressed concern over mushroom growth of political parties in the country and pointed out that at present there were some 1,200 small parties. "Some of these even run from betel shops," he said in a lighter vein.

Quraishi said the causal approach of urban voters towards elections was "a dangerous trend". "Voters do not have the right to criticise a government if they do not play a part in its formation", he said.

He expressed satisfaction over less violence during the recent Lok Sabha polls and said booth capturing has become a thing of the past, thanks to the strict measures adopted by the Commission.