Today, the high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind handed over its report on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative to President Droupadi Murmu. This proposal aims to synchronize elections across the country, including for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies.
The committee, established in September 2023, has suggested amending at least five articles of the Constitution to enable simultaneous elections. Their exhaustive report spans over 18,000 pages, detailing recommendations for streamlining the electoral process.
Among the key suggestions made by the Kovind-led panel are the conduct of simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, followed by local body elections within 100 days. Additionally, in case of a hung assembly or a no-confidence motion, fresh polls can be held for the remainder of the five-year term.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections soon, coinciding with the submission of this significant report.
Apart from Ram Nath Kovind, the committee includes prominent figures like Home Minister Amit Shah, former leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former finance commission chairman N K Singh, among others.
However, there have been challenges to the appointment process of election commissioners under the new Act, with petitions filed in the Supreme Court questioning the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel.
President Droupadi Murmu had already given her assent to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill 2023, indicating progress in electoral reforms.
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