President for simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls

President Pranab Mukherjee said on January 25 that simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State assemblies could substantially reduce inconvenience in poll management and expenditure.

Details:

• Speaking at the 7th National Voters’ Day event, the President said the reform was possible if the Election Commission (EC) took the initiative and the political parties arrived at a consensus to make necessary amendments to the Constitution.
• Holding simultaneous polls would require amendments to the Constitution and additional resources like more electronic voting machines.

Background:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been advocating the need for simultaneous elections and had called for a political consensus.

• The EC had already given its view on the issue to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law, which recommended simultaneous elections in December 2015, and to the Union Law Ministry. Funds in excess of Rs. 9,000 crore would be required to meet the expenditure.