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Simultaneous polls not possible now, says election panel amid BJP push

  •   Tue, Aug 14 2018 03:41:52 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14(PTI): Simultaneous elections are not possible without a legal framework as any extension or curtailment of the term of assemblies will require a constitutional amendment, Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said today, a day after the BJP made a fresh push to hold Lok Sabha and assembly elections together.

Pointing at the need for a legal framework, Mr Rawat ruled out holding simultaneous elections any time soon.

"If the term of some state assemblies needs to be curtailed or extended, then a constitutional amendment will be required... Logistics arrangements with regard to 100 per cent availability of VVPATs (voter-verifiable paper trail machines) will be a constraint," the Chief Election Commissioner told reporters.

"On the issue of 'one nation one poll', the Election Commission had given inputs and suggestions in 2015 itself... Additional police force, polling personnel would also be needed," Mr Rawat said.

BJP President Amit Shah wrote to the Law Commission on Monday, supporting holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously. In his eight-page letter, the BJP chief said the opposition to simultaneous elections seems to be politically motivated.

Opposition parties have raised concern over the proposal, saying simultaneous elections would dilute India's federal structure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal supporter of simultaneous polls.

The EC is in the process of procuring new electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPATs ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The EVMs 13.95 lakh ballot units and 9.3 lakh control units will be delivered by September 30; 16.15 lakh VVPATs will be delivered before November-end, Mr Rawat had earlier said.

More VVPATs are being procured as backup in case these machines malfunction and need to be replaced during elections.

If simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are held in 2019, the EC will need some 24 lakh EVMs, double the number needed to hold only the parliamentary elections.

During their discussion with the Law Commission on May 16, EC officials said they would need Rs. 4,500 crore to buy 12 lakh more EVMs and an equal number VVPAT machines. That estimate was based on current prices.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Wed, Aug 15 2018

    ANY NEW SYSTEM ADOPTING FORCIBLY IS NOT VIABLE AND FEASIBLE TOO

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • PenMightierThanTheSword!, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 14 2018

    Following Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat's communication, Amit Shah shat enough bricks to build a new BJP office in the capital!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lionel Dsouza, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 14 2018

    MR.RAWAT HITS A SIX ON BJP'S FIRST BALL OF THE INNINGS....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robotkem, Kemmannu

    Tue, Aug 14 2018

    CEC , Mr Rawath , Utmost and Maximum OBJECTIVITY and TRANSPARENCY is required in using EVMs and VVPATs.
    Are the VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER TRAILS used to cross check results with those of EVMs???

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Danish, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 14 2018

    Notwithstanding the benefits of simultaneous elections(which the Central Government interprets to that of reducing exchequer as sole reason), the cost to the Indian democracy in terms of playing havoc with the cardinal principle of rule by the majority will be far more than any savings to be realised to the public exchequer. This could also bring in dictatorial tendencies in the government of the day by reducing their accountability to the Lok Sabha or the state assembly since they cannot be removed from office even after losing the confidence of the House. Rather other alternatives should be explored to reduce election related expenses like state funding of elections, decriminalisation of politics, bringing in transparency in political funding by linking Aadhar card to the Election Identity card which has still not been done etc.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashok, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 14 2018

    For me this is foolish idea to fool people. Think this way okay they did election together no problem say Karnataka got hug assembly they cannot form the govt they have go election once again. In other way they form the govt may be after 2 years somebody bought the govt down they have to go for election . they can't wait for next parliament election

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Aug 14 2018

    Another setback for BJP ...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Simultaneous polls not possible now, says election panel amid BJP push



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