One Nation, One Election Established in September of the previous year, the committee was entrusted with the critical task of examining the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities, and Panchayats. Its mandate also included recommending specific amendments to relevant laws, such as the Constitution of India and the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951.
In its report, the committee shed light on the multifaceted challenges faced by diverse stakeholders due to staggered elections. These challenges encompassed governmental, economic, judicial, and societal aspects, impacting various entities ranging from political parties to civil society. To mitigate these challenges, the committee proposed two pivotal measures.
Firstly, it advocated for the synchronization of elections for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Secondly, it recommended aligning the elections for Municipalities and Panchayats with those of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, ensuring that the former are conducted within a hundred days of the latter.
To facilitate this synchronization, the committee proposed the introduction of Article 82A into the Constitution, which would align the terms of State Assemblies with the expiry of the Lok Sabha term. Additionally, it suggested the formation of an Implementation Group to oversee the implementation of its recommendations.
Addressing potential scenarios like hung houses and no-confidence motions, the committee proposed holding fresh elections in such cases for the remainder of the unexpired term. To support this, amendments to Articles 83 and 172 were recommended.
Furthermore, the committee proposed amendments to introduce Article 324A, enabling simultaneous elections for local bodies. Additionally, it suggested amending Article 325 to facilitate a Single Electoral Roll and Single Elector’s Photo Identity Card.
The committee, comprising eminent members like Home Minister Amit Shah and former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, engaged in extensive deliberations for 191 days before presenting its comprehensive report. This significant development marks a significant step towards streamlining India’s electoral process and realizing the vision of “one nation, one election.” Read Also: SBI Provides Electoral Bonds Details to Election Commission, Supreme Court Informed
