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Simultaneous elections should be started with elections to posts of President

Kashmir Times. Dated: 1/20/2017 10:48:04 PM

Dear Editor,
Elections to the posts of President and Vice President of India are going to be held in middle of the year 2017 but with a gap of some months. Presently talks are going on for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and all state-assemblies. It will be better that beginning may be made by starting system of simultaneous elections for posts of President and Vice president which is easily and practically possible without requiring much changes.
Legislation should be there in forthcoming budget-session of Parliament by giving a short extension of few months to President Pranab Mukerji till tenure of Vice President Hamid Mohammad Ansari. Constitution may be amended for Vice President to be elected simultaneously with President through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the manner President is elected by all members of Parliament and state-assemblies on nominations signed by at least 34-perecent members of Parliament so as to ensure direct contests in these elections. In case of mid-term vacancy caused at post of President, Vice President may be made President for rest of the term. But in case of mid-term vacancy caused at post of Vice President, an interim Vice President may be elected by Parliamentarians only, but through EVMs on nominations signed by at least 34-percent Parliamentarians.
—Subhash Chandra Agrawal,
1775 Kucha Lattushah Delhi.