"The commission is seriously concerned and disturbed that loose allegations without any serious basis are being made and publicised to the maximum perhaps to disturb the electoral excercise being undertaken in the state," chief election commissioner MS Gill told reporters.

Meanwhile, the fake ballot box controversy hot up with the Congress demanding sacking of defence minister George Fernandes for making `outrageous' statement that the Intelligence Bureau director has confirmed printing of `excess' ballot papers in the state.

"Never before in the history had anybody raised fingers about the IB director in such a way. This is a BJP-Samata ploy to postpone the remaining polls in Bihar as they expect poor showing in the first phase'', partyspokesman Kapil Sibal told reporters.

He said as per the party's information, IB director has denied the charge. "If the charge is correct, the director should resign on his own." Stating that it was for the President and Prime Minister to take note of the defence minister's `extraordinary' statement, he said prime minister AB Vajpayee should dismiss Fernandes forthwith.

Sibal was also critical of acting Bihar governor, Justice BM Lal's writing directly to the Union home ministry. "The Congress wishes the acting governor had addressed his missive to the appropriate authority or the constitutional authority charged with the responsibility for both the conduct as well as the purity of the election process." He said constitutional offices should not be made the subject matter of public controversy and debate.

Meanwhile, governor Justice BM Lal had a meeting with President KR Narayanan and is understood to have demanded additional security forces for peaceful polling in the remaining two phases of LokSabha poll in the state. During his 30-minute meeting at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lal was believed to have apprised Narayanan of "the dubious and doubtful character" of officials in the conduct of first phase of Lok Sabha polls.