"Multiple elections impose financial burden on parties": JP Nadda after meeting with One Nation, One Election committee

New Delhi [India], February 20 : Ram Nath Kovind, Chairman of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on the One Nation, One Election, and its members, NK Singh and Sanjay Kothari, continued their interactions with political parties on Tuesday to examine the issue relating to the holding of simultaneous elections in the country and make recommendations thereon.
As part of this, a delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by JP Nadda, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Forest and Climate Change and National General Secretary, BJP; and Om Pathak, National Executive member, BJP met the HLC and handed over a written memorandum.
The members of the party also had a detailed interaction with the HLC in which the party pledged its support for the concept of "One Nation, One Election".
After the meeting with HLC, BJP national president JP Nadda said, "Today, we presented the party's viewpoint on One Nation, One Election in front of the High-Level Committee. We very clearly said that the Model Code of Conduct is implemented due to elections that are held at various levels and at different times."
"It affects the administration and good governance, and along with this the speed of development for people is also slowed. There is a financial burden on the parties as well and becomes a reason for corruption as well. Security forces that are deployed for internal and external security on the border are again & again deployed in the states for the elections," he added.
Nadda further added that the BJP has put forth that in the People's Representative Act, change should be made through consensus.
"One photo identity card is on the voter's list, which is valid for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and Panchayat. There should be one voter list. Elections should be held at the same time. In the long run, these three elections should be held at the same time," he said.
Recently, the High-Level Committee also met and interacted with representatives of the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI, CPI (M), AIMIM, RPI, Apna Dal etc.
Representatives of these parties also handed over their suggestions in writing to the committee.
Continuing his discussions with political parties, Ram Nath Kovind also held interactions with Deepak 'Pandurang' Dhavalikar, President, Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa. The party has offered its strong support to the concept of One Nation One Election, as it will strengthen grassroot democracy.
The High-Level Committee relating to the holding of simultaneous elections in the country has initiated a consultation process under the chairmanship of Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India.
The High-Level Committee recently also sought public opinion regarding the one nation, one election issue. The public notice issued stated, "Notice for inviting suggestions from members of the general public for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country."