DMPQ: Recently Prime Minister advocated for simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and local bodies. Discuss the points in favour of conduction simultaneous elections. (Polity)

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  1. It will help to reduce the expenditure incurred in conducting elections.  Cost of holding simultaneous election as reckoned by  the election commission is way less than holding independently.
  2. Always in electioneering mode entails another costs. Our PM rightly said that how frequent elections and campaigns hurt the federal structure as leaders were “forced to talk politically”. Many have argued that election campaigns end up sharpening faultlines of caste, religion and community across the country.
  3. Model code of conduct puts on hold all developmental programmes. Elections are huge disruptors of normal life — simultaneous elections would reduce disturbance from political rallies, etc., the parliamentary panel argued. It would free up large numbers of security personnel and other staff.
  4. Holding simultaneous elections will strengthen democracy through consistency, continuity and good governance.