19 Sept 2024
The panel led by former Indian president Ram Nath Kovind had presented the report in March ahead of the Lok Sabha election announcement.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ report was part of the Law Ministry’s 100-day agenda for the new government. The bill could be introduced during Parliament’s winter session.
It suggests several changes in the election format, including simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, thus reducing the election frequency to save resources and boost social cohesion. The polls of local bodies like Municipalities and Panchayats are proposed to be held within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
It also recommended introducing common voter ID and electoral roll cards by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and establishing a specialised Implementation Group to ensure proper execution of this panel’s recommendations. Its complete implementation requires amendments to the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act.
A PTI report states that the Law Commission may recommend simultaneous elections at the central, state, and local levels starting in 2029.