India polls plan rejected

India's chief election commissioner has rejected a proposal to hold simultaneous general and state elections.

The commissioner, JM Lyngdoh, described the idea as anti-democratic and said it would contravene the national constitution.

The proposal was put forward by the Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani on Saturday.

Mr Advani said it would help reduce the cost involved in conducting elections.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service