According to the proposal, parliamentary and Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in the first phase, while local body elections will take place in the second phase. (Express File Photo)Amid strong resistance from the Opposition to the One Nation, One Election proposal, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday that the initiative would enhance economic as well as administrative efficiency, boost voter turnout and curb the use of black money in polls.According to the proposal, parliamentary and Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in the first phase, while local body elections will take place in the second phase.Addressing a workshop on simultaneous polls at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala, Saha said, “During elections, we cannot make important decisions in the cabinet or approve any projects due to the model code of conduct. If One Nation, One Election is implemented, it will strengthen our economic structure by reducing expenses, bolster democracy and increase voter turnout. There will be continuity in developmental work. I urge everyone to raise awareness among the public about this.”He said countries such as Brazil, Belgium, Sweden, the US, Japan, Germany and Indonesia already hold simultaneous elections to various bodies.“Huge amounts of money are spent on polling stations, appointing polling staff and deploying security personnel during elections. Additionally, employees, especially teachers, are engaged in poll duties, which affects their core responsibilities. If elections are conducted once every five years, it will allow them to focus on their primary work without interruption,” he said.Saha further said that Rs 60,000 crore was spent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and that Rs 1.35 crore was projected to have been spent in the 2024 elections. As political parties spend vast amounts of money during elections, he said the country’s gross domestic product could increase by 1.5 per cent if that money could be saved by conducting elections simultaneously.He said that a similar proposal was included in the BJP’s election manifesto in 1984.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:One Nation One Election