Ram Nath Kovind-Led Committee Recommends Simultaneous Polls and Common Electoral Roll

The high-level committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has submitted its report on simultaneous elections to President Droupadi Murmu, advocating for synchronizing Lok Sabha and state assembly polls followed by local body elections within 100 days.

The comprehensive report, spanning over 18,000 pages, underscores the potential of simultaneous polls to foster development, and social cohesion, and deepen democratic foundations. It proposes constitutional amendments to enable fresh elections in the event of a hung House or no-confidence motion, with tenure aligned to the remaining term of the preceding House.

Additionally, the committee suggests amendments to Article 83 and Article 172 to enact this mechanism, emphasizing the necessity of a common electoral roll prepared by the Election Commission of India in consultation with state authorities. The recommendations, crafted to minimize constitutional amendments and align with the spirit of the Constitution, involve key stakeholders including Home Minister Amit Shah and former opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. However, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury opted out, criticizing the process as predetermined in favor of simultaneous polls.