The Union Cabinet of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre today approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ report, which was submitted by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

The committee, which presented its findings to President Droupadi Murmu, strongly supported the concept of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

The NDA government was already gearing up to roll out the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy before the end of its current term, highly-placed sources said. This major electoral reform, a key objective for the BJP, could now be introduced as early as the winter session of the parliament, speculated to take place between November and December.

A total of 15 parties have opposed this move from the Centre.

Congress party has outright opposed this proposal, with the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge stating, “It is not pragmatic and practical. It’s an attempt to divert the attention of the public. It won’t succeed, the people will not accept it.”

High-level committee’s report

The High level Committee (HLC) on Simultaneous Elections met President Droupadi Murmu, and submitted its report on March 14.

The Report, comprising 18,626 pages, is an outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts and research work of 191 days, since its constitution on September 2, 2023.

After careful consideration of all suggestions and viewpoints, the Committee recommended a two-step approach to lead to the simultaneous elections.

As the first step, simultaneous elections will be held for the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies. In the second step, elections to the Municipalities and the Panchayats will be synchronised with the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies in such a way that Municipalities and Panchayat elections are held within 100 days of holding elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies.

The Committee also recommended that there should be a single electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for use in elections to all the three tiers of government.

The Committee held extensive consultations to understand the views of different stakeholders. A total of 47 political parties submitted their views and suggestions, out of which 32 supported simultaneous elections.

In response to a public notice published in newspapers in all the states and Union territories, 21,558 responses were received from citizens from all over India. 80% of the respondents supported simultaneous elections.

Experts on law such as four former Chief Justices of India and 12 former Chief Justices of major High Courts, four former Chief Election Commissioners of India, eight State Election Commissioners, and Chairman, Law Commission of India were invited by the Committee for interaction in person. Views of the Election Commission of India were also sought.

Apex business organisations like the CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and eminent economists were also consulted to present their views on the economic repercussions of asynchronous elections.

The other members of the Committee were Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation; Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha; N K Singh, former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission; Dr Subhash C Kashyap, former Secretary General, Lok Sabha; Harish Salve, Senior Advocate, and Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner.

Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Law and Justice was a Special Invitee and Dr. Niten Chandra was the Secretary of the HLC.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)