NEW DELHI: The Election Commission, responding to government’s queries on the proposal of
One Nation One Election, has listed the amount of additional funds that would be needed up to the year 2034 (for fourth joint polls), if
simultaneous elections were to become a reality.
The commission has given an elaborate reply to the
Law Commission which had forwarded the law ministry’s queries on the issue.
Besides underlining the need to amend the constitution to align the duration of Parliament and state legislative assemblies, the commission has explained the “financial implications” of the move.
The commission has said that during simultaneous elections, two sets of
EVMs would be needed per polling station. “As per past experience, 71% ballot units (Bus), 25% control units (CUs) and 35%
VVPATs are required for replacement against defective ones from the state of first-level checking to preparation, training, awareness and poll day reserve. Therefore, minimum requirement of EVMs and VVPATs for simultaneous election shall be 36,25,000 Bus, 26,50,000 CUs and 28,62,000 VVPATs,” it has said.
It also said that to meet the EVM and VVPAT requirement for simultaneous elections, an additional 12.9 lakh Bus, 9.4 lakh CUs and 12.3 lakh VVPATs need to be procured, which will cost Rs 4,554.93 crore.
On the issue of limited use of an EVM for only three joint polls, the Commission has said the EVMs and VVPATs shall be used maximum three times in its lifespan of 15 years (for three sets of simultaneous general elections).
“Thereafter, the full lot of available EVMs and VVPATs would have to be replaced with new ones. Additionally, there shall be an increase of 15% in the number of polling stations for every next round of simultaneous polls due to increase in number of voters as well delimitation process,” it said.
The commission has said that there is an expected 14% increase in polling stations for 2019, while an expected 15% increase for 2024 (12,19,000 polling stations).
It said that the requirement of funds for procurement of EVMs and VVPATs for second simultaneous elections to be held in 2024 will be over Rs 1,751 crore. While the third joint polls for 2029 will incur an expenditure of Rs 2,015 crore, the fourth simultaneous elections will run up a bill of Rs 13,982 crore.
This excludes expenses on transportation, maintenance and security of EVMs and VVPATs.
On the question of whether synchronisation of elections result in savings in real terms, the commission has said that in addition to the expenditure for purchase of the EVMs and VVPATs, there would be expenses on storage of these units after election.
The commission was also asked “Does the argument that the periodical elections lead to policy paralysis owing to imposition of the MCC hold?” “Only new projects or program, or concessions or financial grants in any form or promises thereof, etc., which have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the ruling party, which is restricted. Ongoing projects that have already started usually proceed unaffected,” it clarified.
The commission was also asked, “Is an alternative of conducting elections due in a year at a specified and fixed time of the year more viable than overhauling the existing system?”.
The commission responded by saying, “This is an alternative that can be considered so as to avoid multiple elections in a year.”
The commission has given an elaborate reply to the Law Commission which had forwarded the law ministry’s queries on the issue.
