Odisha: Naveen-Modi on same page over simultaneous elections
Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today voiced his support for holding of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures.
“Elections are essential in a democracy. We are elected to work for the people . But having elections throughout the year disturbs the working process for the people. Therefore we support the Prime Minister’s appeal for simultaneous elections.This will serve the country well,” Patnaik said in response to a letter from the Law Commission of India soliciting views of the BJD on holding of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures.
Chairman Law Commission of India Dr Justice B S Chauhan has written a letter to Patnaik in this regard.
Justice Chauhan has noted in his letter that in the Commission’s view any major law reform must be undertaken after taking the stakeholders and the general public into confidence while appreciating that the impact of holding simultaneous elections directly bears upon the public of the country and then the political parties.
The Commission’s Chairman has pointed out that while the Commission has reached out to the public already, it would like to solicit the views of the political parties as well.
“With this intent, the Commission would like to interact with your party on Saturday, the 7th July 2018 or Sunday, 8th July 2018, as is convenient to you, in the Conference Room, Law Commission of India, 4th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawam, Khan Market New Delhi. In order to facilitate the discussions, if you think it is appropriate, you may send your thoughts to us latest by 30 June 2018,” Justice Chauhan said in the letter.
“I would request you to kindly participate in the interaction and share your valuable thoughts and suggestions, which could enable us in weighing the pros and cons of the subject. In the event you are not able to attend, kindly nominate a representative(s) of your party who can place the views before the Commission on your behalf,” he added.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his valedictory address during the Law Day Celebrations 2017 organised by the Law Commission of India, in association with NITI Aayog, on 25-26 November 2017 gave a call to start a constructive discussion on the subject of holding of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures.
Further, on April 16, 2018 the Department of Legal Affairs had asked the Commission to examine the matter and submit a report to the government.
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