New Delhi, Aug 29: Chief Election Commission Om Prakash Rawat on Wednesday said simultaneous polls could not be conducted in the nation till changes are made to the law and the Constitution.

CEC Rawat noted that a constitutional amendment would be required to implement 'one nation, election', adding that necessary provisions would also have to be incorporated in the People's Representation Act, 1951.

The poll body chief had earlier too expressed apprehensions on the concept of simultaneous polls being promoted by the ruling regime.

After chairing an all-party meet on August 27, Rawat claimed that there are infrastructural lapses which hinder conducting polls to the Lok Sabha along with the state assemblies.

"There are not enough VVPAT machines to conduct 11 state elections simultaneously with Lok Sabha polls in 2019. If such a thing is to be attempted, more VVPAT machines will have to be ordered and a decision in this regard will have to be taken in a month or two," he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the debate on 'one nation, one election', saying it shows the "signs of a healthy democracy".

The ruling BJP has reiterated the need to implement simultaneous polls across the nation, claiming that recurring elections hinder governance, apart from adding burden on the exchequer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2018 09:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).