The High Level committee, which was set up by the government to draw a roadmap for holding simultaneous polls — One Nation, One Election — submits the report on Thursday to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The report comprises eight volumes extending over 18,000 pages.
The committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind has recommended a concrete model for One Nation, One Election to set up a synchronised poll formula for India. The report suggests simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.
The report also suggests that simultaneous polls will spur development process and social cohesion, deepen foundations of democratic rubric and help realise aspirations of "India, that is Bharat".
Sources claimed that the report is based on the German model of constructive vote of no-confidence. However, the committee confirmed that the model has not been considered to prepare the report. The panel, reportedly, found it against the doctrines enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
Where a no-confidence motion against the incumbent can be brought if there is a positive vote of confidence in a successor is known to be the German model.
The Law Commission, in its 2018 draft report, had recommended the “constructive vote of no-confidence” as a way to ensure stability of governments.
The report preparing committee met representatives from political parties, retired Chief Justices, former Chief Election Commissioners, industrialists and economists to consult the findings of the report.
It also invited comments from the public in January. In a statement in January, the committee said it had received 20,972 responses, of which 81 per cent were in favour of simultaneous elections.
The Election Commission, too, sent its written response to the panel. As per the sources, the committee also examined the macroeconomic impact of simultaneous elections, and crime rate and education outcomes.
The committee was appointed by the Union Law Ministry in September 2023 to prepare recommendations for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.
Apart from Kovind, the committee includes Home Minister Amit Shah, former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior advocate Harish Salve, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari and others.
Adhir Chowhury, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, was included in the committee too, but he declined to be a part of it.
According to its terms of reference, the committee was also asked to analyse and recommend solutions in a scenario of simultaneous elections emerging out of a hung House, adoption of no-confidence motion, or defection, or any other relevant event.
In a similar vein, suggestions on phases and time-frame within which simultaneous elections can be held were also sought. It also looked into the logistics of holding simultaneous elections, and the modalities for a common electoral roll and Voter ID cards.
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