“In some countries, the names of the Election Commissioners are debated in the legislature before the final decision is taken,” said Gopalaswami.

On the pending ruling on the BJP’s controversial anti-minority CD case, the CEC indicated that it would be out “very soon” and the “soon” could be before the last phase of UP elections. “It is a procedural delay as the EC order needs to be signed by all. One signature is still pending.”

Gopalaswami said that the UP elections had helped the EC put in a “format” for next elections: cleaning the rolls, mapping of vulnerable voters that helped people in certain pockets coming out to vote for the first time, transfers of key officials, 100 per cent ID-card coverage and targeted drives to get women to vote.