After all-party meet, here is what EC has to say on simultaneous polls, integrity of elections

Election Commission on Friday convened an all-party meeting to discuss a bunch of issues, including electoral reforms, vulnerability of EVMs, simultaneous polls and going back to the ballot papers to conduct upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters after the all-party meeting, Chief Election Commission OP Rawat said that all the political parties were “positive” and “suggested ways and means” to improve the integrity of elections, which has taken a hit in recent days.

Rawat said that while some parties raised the issues with EVMs and VVPATs and suggested to go back to ballot papers, others said that doing so would bring back booth capturing.

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“Some political parties have said that there are problems with EVMs and VVPATs. These things have been noted down by the Commission.

“Some of the parties said going back to the ballot is bad as it would bring back booth capturing,” the CEC said.

On the issue of one nation, one poll, Rawat said that several political parties opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of simultaneous elections, while few others also raised valid points in favour of this.

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“Many parties opposed One Nation, One Poll while there were some who made some valid points in favour of simultaneous elections,” Rawat said and added that “the Commission will take all the suggestions, examine them and take all the actions needed to improve the delivery of elections.”