Advancing Simultaneous Elections in India: Insights from the Kovind Committee Report         

Introduction:

• The High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election, spearheaded by former President Ram Nath Kovind, recently presented its findings to President Droupadi Murmu. Among its key recommendations is the synchronization of Lok Sabha, state Assembly, and local body elections in India, aiming for simultaneous polls. Let’s delve into the comprehensive report and understand the proposed amendments to the Indian Constitution.

Transitioning to Simultaneous Elections: Constitutional Amendments Proposed

• The committee advocates for a constitutional overhaul through two distinct bills. The first bill focuses on the transition to simultaneous elections. It introduces Article 82A, outlining the process for implementing simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. This article mandates that all Legislative Assemblies formed after a specified date would align their terms with that of the Lok Sabha. Additionally, it grants the Election Commission of India (ECI) the authority to recommend deferred state Assembly elections if necessary.
• The proposed amendments also extend Parliament’s jurisdiction under Article 327 to encompass the conduct of simultaneous elections, augmenting its role in electoral matters.

Addressing Dissolution and Unexpired Terms: Ensuring Continuity

• To address scenarios where Lok Sabha or state Assemblies are dissolved prematurely, the committee suggests amending Articles 83 and 172. These amendments redefine the tenure of the replaced bodies, ensuring that subsequent terms align with the remaining duration of the original term.

Incorporating Union Territories and Legislative Assemblies: Ensuring Uniformity

• The committee underscores the importance of synchronizing elections in Union Territories (UTs) by proposing amendments to relevant legislative Acts. This ensures that UT Assembly elections are concurrent with those of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

Simultaneous Local Body Elections: Collaborative Governance

• The second bill proposed by the committee focuses on municipal and panchayat elections, necessitating ratification by the states due to its impact on the State List. It advocates for the inclusion of Article 324A, empowering Parliament to legislate on simultaneous local body elections. Additionally, proposed amendments to Article 325 aim to establish a Single Electoral Roll, streamlining the electoral process across constituencies and tiers of governance.

Conclusion:

• The Kovind Committee’s recommendations for simultaneous elections in India offer a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing electoral efficiency and coherence. By proposing constitutional amendments and legislative changes, the committee seeks to streamline the electoral process and promote synchronized governance at all levels. Implementing these measures would mark a significant step towards realizing the vision of One Nation, One Election in India.