Polls to LS, assemblies at one-go only by consensus: Ex-CEC

Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has ruled out simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for now until a consensus was arrived at.

Until then, he said, it was better to go with the present system of staggered elections.

There were advantages of holding simultaneous polls or staggered polls, he told PTI Tuesday.

Logistically, he said, simultaneous election was the most convenient because the voter, polling station would be the same besides electoral staff and security personnel also the same.

There were advantages of staggered elections too, he said, because such polls hold the politicians accountable.

If there were simultaneous polls, the elected representative would show his or her face only after five years when the next election was due, the former chief election commissioner said.

Another factor, he pointed out was that regional and national issues should not get mixed up as they were important in their own way, though people get confused whether to go by the national or the local issues.

Therefore, he said, staggered elections were considered useful, particularly in a federal structure, which is why the Prime Minister did not push it down any body's throat.

Political parties were also divided on the issue over simultaneous polls.

On whether he foresees the possibility of simultaneous polls next year, Quraishi said, "I think it is difficult because there is no consensus, and we have been debating on it. If a consensus were evolved, it will be good."
Such people are mistaken, they have no moral right to sit in their drawing rooms and criticise the government and the politicians instead of going out to vote."