A high-level committee on simultaneous elections, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has handed over its findings on “one nation, one election” to President Droupadi Murmu. The committee’s report, spanning 18,626 pages, recommends amendments to at least five articles of the Constitution to facilitate synchronized polls across the country.
Established in September 2023, the Kovind-led committee was tasked with exploring the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats. After extensive consultations with stakeholders and experts, the committee proposed several key suggestions:
- Phased Approach: The committee suggests conducting simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assembly elections initially, followed by local body elections within 100 days thereafter.
- Contingency Measures: In the event of a hung house or a no-confidence motion, the committee proposes holding fresh polls for the remainder of the five-year term.
- Electoral Roll Integration: To streamline the electoral process, the Election Commission is advised to prepare a single electoral roll and issue voter ID cards in collaboration with state poll authorities for all levels of elections.
- Infrastructure Enhancement: The committee recommends bolstering equipment, manpower, and security forces to facilitate the smooth conduct of simultaneous polls.
- Governance Enhancement: Synchronized elections across all tiers of government are expected to enhance the governance framework, foster development, and promote social cohesion.
Additionally, the committee asserts that “one nation, one election” will bolster transparency, inclusivity, and voter confidence, thereby strengthening the democratic fabric of the nation.
The submission of the committee’s report coincides with the anticipated announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule for 2024. Apart from Ram Nath Kovind, the committee includes members such as Home Minister Amit Shah, former opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, and others. However, it is noteworthy that Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declined membership, citing skepticism about the committee’s efficacy.
Meanwhile, amidst these developments, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi is convening a high-powered committee to select new election commissioners, with a meeting scheduled for March 14. However, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear petitions challenging the appointment of new election commissioners under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
The petitions argue that the Act, which excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel for appointing Chief Election Commissioners and other Election Commissioners, violates a previous Supreme Court verdict. They seek the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the selection committee, as mandated by the Supreme Court’s earlier directive.
President Droupadi Murmu granted her assent to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill 2023 on December 28, 2023.
