EC says it will be logistically capable of holding simultaneous polls to state assemblies and Lok Sabha by September 2018

Election Commission has said that it will be logistically capable of holding simultaneous polls to state assemblies and Lok Sabha by September 2018. 

Election Commissioner OP Rawat said that the Centre had asked Election Commission about its requirements to hold simultaneous state and national polls. The commission told the government that funds will be needed for requisite number of EVMs and VVPATs and it has got 15,400 crore rupees for the purpose. Mr Rawat was speaking at a function to launch Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) network in Bhopal yesterday. 

He said, around 40 lakh EVMs and VVPATs will be needed for simultaneous



polls. Election commissioner said the poll body will be logistically ready to hold simultaneous polls by September 2018 but it is up to the government to take a decision and make necessary legal amendments. 

After launching the web-based application, he said the officers involved in the poll process, right from the booth level to the national level, will be connected through the ERO network. 

Election commissioner said that the ERO network would effectively keep a check on duplicate registration of voters. Mr. Rawat also said an error-free electoral roll is the basis for conducting a smooth, free and fair election.