'One Nation One Election in 2029': Ram Nath Kovind-led panel submits report
19-Mar-2024Sources said the panel recommended amending the Constitution so elections for the Lok Sabha, all state assemblies and local bodies can be held by 2029.
Simultaneous elections would lead to a "fundamental transformation" in the electoral process and overall governance, a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, recommended in its over 18,000-page report on 'One Nation One Election'.
Sources said the panel recommended amending the Constitution so elections for the Lok Sabha, all state assemblies and local bodies can be held by 2029.
On examination of the constitutional and legal issues associated with simultaneous elections, the Ram Nath Kovind-led committee suggested an alternative enabling framework to make simultaneous elections tenable.
The panel also recommended constitutional amendments so elections for the Lok Sabha, all state assemblies and local bodies can be held by 2029. Disruptions to governance and policy paralysis resulting from the application of the Model Code of Conduct and its adverse impact on economic growth will be mitigated. The committee suggested that, in the first step, simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State Assembly be held. Then, the election of municipalities and panchayats will be synchronised in such a way that it is held within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
In the case of a hung House, or no-confidence motion, fresh elections can be held for the remainder of the five-year tenure. The committee recognised the significance of the single electoral roll and single elector’s photo identity card (EPIC) (voter card) for elections to all three tiers of the Indian government - Centre (Lok Sabha), State (Legislative Assembly) and local (muncipalities and panchayats) to safeguard the rights of voters.
