New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS): The Election Commission Wednesday accepted Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid's apology after it complained about his defiance of its earlier order censuring him for offering quota to backward Muslims and decided to take no further action in the matter.

"Based on the minister's clear change of position as conveyed directly to the commission, it has been decided not to take any further action in the matter," said an official release of the EC.

The commission noted that Khurshid had underlined his respect for the decision taken by the EC in the particular case of violation of model code of conduct by him by offering quota to backward Muslims amid campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

The commission took note of the fact that Khurshid had regretted his statement that he made during the campaign after the commission censured him.

The minister recorded his commitment to ensure that such situations do not arise in future, the EC said.

"The commission considers that the communication received from Khurshid establishes a complete and positive reversal of approach, in which he has also committed himself to the EC's efforts towards conduct of free and fair election," said the release.

The EC advised parties and campaigners in state elections, particularly those holding public office, to be extremely careful so that a situation as in Khurshid's case did not recur.