Simultaneous polls beneficial, says ex-CEC T S Krishnamurthy

July 11, 2018 13:31

If electoral reforms are implemented quickly, there may not be any justification for simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, says former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy.

If our political parties behave well during elections, strictly follow model code of conduct, observe the ceiling on expenditure, and avoid violence, hatred and muscle power,there may not be any justification for the concept, he said.

"Since they do not follow any of these requirements and since they do not respect rule of law during election time, simultaneous polls will certainly benefit in terms of cost-benefit ratio," Krishnamurthy said.

"Simultaneous polls idea can be implemented only if there is a constitutional amendment and additional adequate paramilitary forces," he added.

Krishnamurthy listed law to regulate political parties, public funding of polls through national election fund, changing the first-past-the-post system and barring criminal elements from contesting polls as key electoral reforms.

"If these four (reforms) are brought in, there may not be any justification for simultaneous polls," he felt.

-- PTI

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