New Delhi, July 13 -- Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SY Quraishi on Monday said the Election Commission (EC) under his tenure adopted an approach that was sympathetic towards the opposition, as parties out of power needed greater institutional support to ensure a level playing field.

Quraishi, who served as the 17th CEC from 2010 to 2012, said he had instructed EC officials to remain accessible to opposition parties and address their concerns promptly.

Speaking to ANI, Quraishi said, "We were very, very pro-opposition. My policy was, which I had told all my officers, since the government has a long hand, it can get many things done. It is the opposition, which is out of power, and they are the people who need sympathy and hand...