Upon intense deliberations, a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind proposed simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (House of People) and State Assemblies as the initial step, followed by coordinated local body polls within the ensuing 100 days.
Outlined in a comprehensive report spanning over 18,000 pages, the Ram Nath Kovind panel advocated for synchronized polls, emphasizing their potential to catalyze developmental endeavors and foster societal unity. The committee asserted that such an approach would fortify the democratic framework and facilitate the realization of India’s profound aspirations.
Additionally, the panel recommended the formulation of a unified electoral register and voter identification cards by the Election Commission of India in collaboration with state election authorities.
Herein lies the exhaustive compilation of the panel’s 11 recommendations:
After thorough scrutiny of pertinent data, including macroeconomic analyses, the Committee discerned that the discontinuation of concurrent elections subsequent to the first two decades post-India’s independence has precipitated adverse consequences across the economic, political, and social spectra. Initially, biennial elections were conducted; however, the current scenario witnesses a plethora of elections held annually. This places an onerous burden on the government, commercial entities, labor force, judiciary, political entities, electoral candidates, and the broader civil society. Hence, the Committee advocates for the formulation of a legally robust mechanism to reinstate the cycle of simultaneous elections.
The Committee proposes the initiation of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies as the preliminary step. Subsequently, elections for Municipalities and Panchayats shall be harmonized with those of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, ensuring that they occur within a hundred days following the former’s elections.
To facilitate the synchronization of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections, the Committee suggests that the President of India, via a notification issued on the day of the Lok Sabha’s first session subsequent to a general election, enforces the stipulations outlined in this Article. This day of notification shall be designated as the Appointed date.
The tenure of State Legislative Assemblies formed via elections conducted post the Appointed date and preceding the completion of the Lok Sabha’s full term shall extend solely until the subsequent general elections to the Lok Sabha. Thereafter, all general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies shall transpire simultaneously.
Furthermore, the Committee advocates for the establishment of an Implementation Group tasked with overseeing the execution of the committee’s recommendations.
The Committee suggests the introduction of Article 324A to facilitate concurrent elections in Panchayats and Municipalities alongside general elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Additionally, an amendment to Article 325 is proposed to enable the creation of a unified electoral roll and voter’s photo identity card, prepared by the Election Commission of India in collaboration with State Election Commissions. Ratification by the States would be requisite for these amendments, as they pertain to State subjects under Schedule VII of the Constitution.
In scenarios of a hung House or a vote of no confidence, fresh elections may be conducted to constitute a new House. In such instances, the tenure of the Lok Sabha will be restricted to the remaining duration of the preceding full term, with its dissolution upon expiration. Similarly, for State Legislative Assemblies, the new Legislative Assembly will endure until the conclusion of the Lok Sabha’s full term, unless dissolved earlier. Introducing a Constitutional Amendment Bill amending Article 83 and Article 172 is imperative for such circumstances, without requiring ratification by the States.
The Committee underscores the necessity of concurrent elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in the initial phase. Subsequently, the synchronization of elections for Municipalities and Panchayats with those of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies should ensue, ensuring that Municipal and Panchayat elections are conducted within a hundred days of the former’s elections.
In scenarios of a hung House or a vote of no confidence, fresh elections may be conducted to constitute a new House. In such instances, the tenure of the Lok Sabha will be restricted to the remaining duration of the preceding full term, with its dissolution upon expiration. Similarly, for State Legislative Assemblies, the new Legislative Assemblies will endure until the conclusion of the Lok Sabha’s full term, unless dissolved earlier. A Constitutional Amendment Bill, amending Article 83 and Article 172, would be necessitated for such situations, without requiring ratification by the States.
For logistical arrangements pertaining to concurrent elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the Election Commission of India is urged to devise a comprehensive plan in advance for equipment procurement, polling personnel deployment, security provisions, and other necessary arrangements. Similarly, for Municipal and Panchayat elections, State Election Commissions, in consultation with the Election Commission of India, are advised to formulate a premeditated plan for equipment procurement, polling personnel deployment, security arrangements, and other logistical requirements.
The Committee recommends amending Article 325 to establish a Single Electoral Roll and Single Elector’s Photo Identity Card for elections to the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities, and Panchayats. The Election Commission of India, in consultation with State Election Commissions, shall devise the Electoral Roll and Elector’s Photo Identity Card, which will supersede any prior electoral rolls or identity cards prepared by either the Election Commission under Article 325 or the State Election Commissions under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution. Ratification by the States would be requisite for this amendment.
In conclusion, following extensive deliberations, the Committee asserts that its recommendations will significantly augment the transparency, inclusivity, ease, and voter confidence in the electoral process. The overwhelming support for concurrent elections is anticipated to accelerate the developmental trajectory, foster social cohesion, fortify the bedrock of our democratic structure, and fulfill the lofty aspirations of India, which embodies Bharat.