EC: Lok Sabha elections simultaneously by September 2018

New Delhi Oct 5: Election Commission of India on Wednesday has said that it will be capable of holding simultaneous polls to state assemblies and Lok Sabha by September 2018.

Election Commissioner O P Rawat who launched the ERONet software to check inaccuracy and duplicity, told reporters that the government had sought a response from the Election Commission on the holding of simultaneous state and national polls.

He said, told the government that funds would be needed for a requisite number of EVMs and VVPATs and had got Rs 3,400 crore and Rs 12,000 crore respectively.

Rawat has also said that orders had been placed with two government undertakings and the delivery of machines had already begun. He said all machines would be delivered by September 2018 after which the Election Commission would be in a position to hold simultaneous polls.

Around 40 lakh EVMs and VVPATs would be needed for the simultaneous poll. "We 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 for it" he added.

Earlier supreme court had ordered EC to introduce Verifiable paper trial where people can check whether they have cast their votes correctly or not.