Kovind panel moots simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls
Concept of One Nation, One Election can can help realise aspirations of 'India, that is Bharat', says committee in 18,000-page report submitted to President
The Ram Nath Kovind-led committee submits report on 'One Nation, One Election' to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday (March 14) in Delhi.
A high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday (March 14) submitted its report on the feasibility of holding simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha, state Assemblies and local bodies across the country.
The panel submitted the report, comprising over 18,000 pages, to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, a statement said.
Kovind was accompanied by other panel members, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Finance Commission chairman NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash Kashyap, former leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, when they submitted the report to Murmu.
The report is the outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts and research work of 191 days, since its constitution on September 2, 2023, it added.
What the panel recommended
The panel recommended simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, followed by municipal elections. Municipal/panchayat polls should be held within 100 days of Lok Sabha/Assembly polls.
The committee also recommended the setting up of an Implementation Group to look into the execution of the suggestions given in the report.
Synchronised polls for all 3 tiers of government to improve governance architecture, in line with a quest for an aspirational India, the panel said.
Simultaneous polls can help realise aspirations of 'India, that is Bharat', it added. Such polls spur development process and social cohesion, deepen foundations of the democratic fabric, it further said.
Cost-savings
The committee based its report on the theory that bunching elections will save the economy and society lakhs of crores of money. It will also stem disruptions arising from frequent elections.
It may be noted that every year, two or more states go for Assembly polls, apart from the one-in-five-years Lok Sabha polls. Multiple elections are held for panchayats and other local bodies, so polls consume an estimated 200-300 days in a year, including campaign and voting days.
What needs to be done
Now that the panel recommendations are in, various steps will have to be undertaken. The electoral rolls have to be amended. Legislative changes have to be cleared.