Consultations on One Nation, One Election: Ram Nath Kovind Meets Former Judges, Bar Council

Former President Ram Nath Kovind, leading the high-level committee on One Nation, One Election, engaged in consultations with ex-CJI U U Lalit, Justice Sanjib Banerjee, and Bar Council of India Chair Manan Kumar Mishra. Discussions focused on the potential impact of simultaneous polls, including economic growth and government investments.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind, who heads the high-level committee on one nation, one election, has been actively engaging in consultations with legal experts and political parties to gather diverse perspectives on the issue of simultaneous polls. In his recent efforts, Kovind met with former Chief Justice of India U U Lalit and the Bar Council of India to seek their insights on the matter.

Discussions with Legal Luminaries

Kovind's consultations included discussions with former Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, Justice Sanjib Banerjee, and Manan Kumar Mishra, the chairman of the Bar Council of India. These legal experts shared their considered opinions on the feasibility and implications of holding simultaneous elections in India.

Research Presentation and Economic Impact

The committee convened a fresh meeting on Saturday, during which a presentation was made based on a research paper titled 'Macroeconomic Impact of Harmonising Electoral Cycles, Evidences from India.' Co-authored by panel member and former Finance Commission head N K Singh and Prachi Mishra, the paper suggested that simultaneous elections could lead to higher economic growth and increased government investment in capital and revenue expenditure.

Attendance and Support

The Saturday meeting was attended by notable individuals, including former Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, N K Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash C Kashyap, former CVC Sanjay Kothari, and senior advocate Harish Salve. The meeting marked the fourth gathering of the committee.

Political Party Interactions

Continuing his outreach to political parties, Kovind engaged in discussions with Deepak 'Pandurang' Dhavalikar, the president of the Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party in Goa. The party expressed its strong support for the concept of one nation, one election, citing its potential to strengthen grassroots democracy.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind's ongoing consultations with legal experts and political parties demonstrate the government's commitment to exploring the feasibility and potential benefits of holding simultaneous elections in India. As the committee gathers diverse perspectives and research-based evidence, it aims to formulate recommendations that will contribute to informed decision-making on this significant electoral reform.