Election Commission rules out joint polls

​New Delhi: In the midst of BJP's push for "One-Nation, One-Poll", the Election Commission on Tuesday appeared to rule out simultaneous polls to assemblies and the Lok Sabha given the present logistics and constitutional provisions. Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat said, however, the commission would continue to deliver its responsibility of conducting polls whenever the term of a state assembly comes to an end. 

"On the issue of One Nation, One Poll, the commission had given inputs and suggestions in 2015 itself. Logistics arrangements with reference to 100 per cent availability of voter verified paper audit trail (VVPATs) will be a constraint," Rawat told the media. He also said if the term of some state assembly needed to be curtailed or extended then a constitutional amendment would be required. 

Other requirements of additional police force and polling personnel was also needed. "The commission will continue to deliver its responsibility of conducting elections whenever the term of state assembly comes to an end," Rawat said.