Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi mentioned that holding simultaneous elections in Gujarat could save around 50 lakh man-hours by avoiding repeated mobilization of government resources for separate polls. The state government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, expressed full backing for the initiative during discussions with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) exploring the concept. The JPC, chaired by BJP MP P. P. Chaudhary, is in Gujarat for a three-day session to evaluate the feasibility of conducting Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections concurrently.
Sanghavi highlighted that Gujarat voters have been engaging in elections frequently, facing Assembly elections in 2022, Lok Sabha elections in 2024, local self-government elections in 2026, and upcoming state elections in 2027. He emphasized the extensive preparation required due to election rules, leading to significant time and effort spent by government personnel. The Deputy CM also pointed out the challenges posed by the repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct on administrative operations and welfare activities.
Simultaneous elections, as per Sanghavi, would not only streamline public services, administrative functions, and law-and-order arrangements but also ease the burden on voters who participate in multiple elections over a five-year span. The proposal for synchronized elections is part of discussions initiated based on recommendations from a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee suggested aligning electoral cycles and implementing the process gradually starting from 2029, subject to constitutional amendments.
