New Delhi: In a major move aimed at bringing a historic change to the country’s electoral process, the Central Government took a significant step today. According to sources, the government has given its in-principle approval to the key recommendations of the report submitted by the high-level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Moving forward, the government is now preparing to introduce a major constitutional amendment bill in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
What are the Key Recommendations of the Committee?
Although the report has not yet been made public, reliable sources indicate that the committee has presented a detailed roadmap for conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies. The key recommendations include:
- Two-Phase Implementation: The committee has suggested that the plan can be rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, elections for all states scheduled within the next 6-8 months could be synchronized with the Lok Sabha elections.
- Curtailment/Extension of Tenures: To achieve simultaneity, the tenures of some state assemblies may need to be curtailed or extended on a one-time basis, which would require a constitutional amendment.
- Single Voter List: It has been suggested to create a Common Electoral Roll for Lok Sabha, state assembly, and local body elections to save resources.
- Scenario of a Hung Assembly: In the event of a government falling in a state, the committee has proposed a formula for forming a new government for the remainder of the term, instead of holding mid-term elections.
Government’s Stance and the Opposition’s Reaction
Government sources state that this reform will free the country from the frequently imposed Model Code of Conduct, thereby accelerating development work. Furthermore, it will lead to a massive reduction in election expenditure, saving thousands of crores. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated for this idea on multiple occasions.
