Former Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath prior demiting office paid a courtesy call on President Pranab Mukherjee as he is the appointing authority apart from being an elder statesman.

The president heard Sampath's recommendation that the government enact a law giving legal teeth to the Election Commission to prosecute law breakers during poll season.

Three neighbouring countries including Pakistan have invested such powers with their Election Commission.

A former CEC cattily remarked that wisdom dawns on authorities when they demit office.