New Delhi:
The Election Commission has conveyed its readiness to hold parliamentary and assembly polls together by September 2018 to the government.
The Bhartiya Janata Party has been advocating to hold parliamentary and assembly elections together for quite some time now. But, there is no consensus among political all parties over this.
Election Commissioner OP Rawat said that the government had asked them to convey their readiness over the joint elections.
Rawat said that they have informed government that a large number of EVMs and VVPATs will be required to hold parliamentary and assembly polls together. He said that more funds will also be required to furnish these machines.
Rawat informed that the EC has already got Rs 3,400 crore and Rs 12,000 crore to fulfill the requirements.
EC said that order has been given for these machines and delivery has already been started. He infomed that all the deliveries will be complete by September 2018 and after that, the EC will be able to hold parliamentary and assembly polls together.
To hold parliamentary and assembly polls together, 40 lakh EVMs and VVPATs will be required.
"After purchase of new machines we would be logistically ready by Sept 2018 to hold parliamentary and assembly polls together. However it is up to the government to take a decision and make required legal amendments,and all parties to be on board," said Rawat.
