Kovind-led panel suggests two-step approach for ‘One Nation, One Poll’
Says elections for municipalities, panchayats could be held within 100 days of LS/Assembly polls
In its report on ‘One Nation, One Election’ submitted to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, the Ram Nath Kovindled panel recommended a twostep approach for simultaneous elections in the country.
To begin with, the panel suggested simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies.
In the followup step, elections to municipalities and panchayats could be held within hundred days of polls to the Lower House and assemblies.
Other members of the highlevel committee, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad were also present at the time of submitting a report to Murmu, her office said on X.
For ease of organising the festival of democracy, the committee also suggested a single electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for use in elections to all the three tiers of government, the Ministry of Law and Justice said in an official statement.
Currently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for general and assembly elections, while State election commissions conduct polls for municipalities and panchayats.
In the event of a hung house, the panel suggested a noconfidence motion and fresh polls may be held for the remainder of the fiveyear term. For States witnessing fresh elections, new legislative assemblies unless dissolved sooner, shall continue till the end of the term of the Lok Sabha, the committee reported.
For simultaneous polls, Article 83 (Duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures) of the Constitution need to be amended. The amendments would not require ratification by the states, the report said.
RECOMMENDATIONS
“In tune with its mandate to explore the mechanism for simultaneous elections and keeping in view the existing framework of the Constitution, the Committee has crafted its recommendations in such a way that they adhere by the spirit of the Constitution of India and would require bare minimum amendments to the Constitution,” the Ministry’s statement read.
After extensive deliberations, the Committee said its recommendations would significantly enhance the transparency, inclusivity, ease and confidence of the voters. If the nation decides to support holding simultaneous elections, the Ministry stated it will spur the development process and social cohesion, deepen the foundations of our democratic fabric and realise the aspirations of India.
EXPERT CONSULTATIONS
According to the Ministry, the report, which is 18,626 pages long, is the outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders and experts and research work that has lasted 191 days since it was constituted on September 2, 2023.
To give a sense of the consultations it had, the panel stated that 47 political parties submitted their views and suggestions, out of which 32 supported simultaneous elections.
Similarly, of the 21,558 responses received from citizens nationwide, 80 per cent supported simultaneous polls. Former Chief Justices of India and 12 former Chief Justices of major High Courts, four former Chief Election Commissioners of India, eight State Election Commissioners and the Chairman of the Law Commission of India were invited by the Committee to hear their views in person. The Election Commission of India’s response was also sought.