(Express File Photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)When and how did the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly and local body polls come up? How exactly will holding Lok Sabha and Assembly polls together help? The NITI Aayog paper said the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 had cost the exchequer about Rs 1,115 crore, and the 2014 elections, about Rs 3,870 crore. Elections are huge disruptors of normal life — simultaneous elections would reduce disturbance from political rallies, etc., the parliamentary panel argued. Commentators have noted in recent weeks that the escalating clamour for “One Nation, One Poll” has coincided with speculation about a snap Lok Sabha election.

Source: Indian Express January 30, 2018 18:39 UTC