The panel advocates for the synchronisation of Lok Sabha and assembly elections at first, followed by local body elections within 100 days.
The high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, dedicated to studying the feasibility of simultaneous national and state elections, presented its comprehensive report to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The committee”s report, spanning an extensive 18,626 pages, emerged from rigorous consultations with stakeholders, experts, and 191 days of dedicated research since its inception on September 2, 2023.
Recommendations put forth by the panel propose the implementation of simultaneous elections in 2029, emphasising the necessity to address procedural and logistical challenges associated with such a significant reform.
The panel advocates for the synchronisation of Lok Sabha and assembly elections at first, followed by local body elections within 100 days.
The other members of the committee included Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, 15th Finance Commission Chairperson NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash C. Kashyap, and senior advocate Harish Salve.
Of particular significance is a paper within the report authored by NK Singh and the International Monetary Fund”s Prachi Mishra, which delves into the economic ramifications of implementing simultaneous elections.
The committee engaged with political parties, constitutional experts, former chief election commissioners, the election commission, and other relevant stakeholders to gain insights and perspectives on the matter.
The committee was tasked with analysing and proposing potential solutions to simultaneous elections, even in scenarios such as a hung house, motions of no confidence, defections, or similar events. A single electoral roll and voter identity cards valid for the national, state, civic body and panchayat elections was also explored, officials said.
Currently, elections in India are staggered, with general elections for Parliament and state assembly polls held separately as the tenure of the incumbent government concludes or if dissolved for various reasons.
The concept of “One Nation, One Election” in India proposes the synchronisation of elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies, aiming to streamline the electoral process. Championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and propelled into the limelight by the appointment of former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore its feasibility, the government’s earnestness in this endeavor is underscored ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The primary allure of “One Nation, One Election” lies in its promise to curtail the exorbitant costs associated with conducting separate elections. The simultaneous elections would lessen the burden on administrative and security agencies, liberating them from the recurrent demands of election duties.
The supporters of the idea say that such a reform would foster a conducive environment for governance, mitigating the disruptive influence of perpetual electioneering on policy implementation. It would bolster voter participation and lead to higher turnout rates, they claim.
Critics argue that the overarching focus on national issues could eclipse regional concerns. The realisation of ‘One Nation, One Election’ necessitates constitutional amendments and legislative adjustments, which is going be a challenge. Securing unanimous agreement among political parties poses a formidable challenge.
