New Delhi, Jan 25: Saying frequent elections hamper the country’s progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the people, academics, experts and intellectuals to discuss the idea of ‘One nation, One election”. Modi made the observation while interacting with BJP workers from Gujarat when he expressed concern over low voter turnout in successive elections. “In the 1951 general elections, only 45 per cent eligible population exercised their franchise. In 2019, the turnout was 67 per cent. Everyone … should spare a thought about the low voting percentage in the elections,” he said. Citing low voter turnout in urban areas, he said: “People in these areas talk about elections on social media but the percentage of polling remains low. Such a situation should change in a vibrant democratic country.” On the occasion of National Voters Day, Modi urged booth level workers to ensure 75 per cent polling in any election by encouraging people to vote. “For us, election is a festival of democracy. We should not fight elections only to come to power but fulfill the expectation of the people,” he said. The Prime Minister lauded the Election Commission. “From 1950 till today, it has increased its dignity by conducting free and fair elections. India is among those countries where the EC can … transfer officials. In many democratic countries, the election panel does not have such power.”
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