One Nation, One Election: What Are The 11 Key Proposals In The Kovind Panel Report?

The Union Cabinet endorsed a high-level panel's recommendations to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies in phased approaches, on Wednesday.

The panel, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, put forth 11 key recommendations after a nationwide consultation process.

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Key Recommendations from the Kovind Panel

1. Economic and Social Benefits: The committee emphasized that frequent elections negatively impact the economy, polity, and society. To mitigate these effects, it proposed the return to simultaneous elections.

2. Synchronization of Elections: The initial phase involves aligning elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Municipal and Panchayat elections will then be synchronized and scheduled within 100 days of these elections.

3. Presidential Notification: Following general elections, the President may issue a notification to set a specific 'appointed date' for convening the Lok Sabha. This measure is designed to maintain election synchronization.

4. Adjusted Terms for New Assemblies: Newly formed state assemblies post-synchronization will have abbreviated terms to align with the next general elections.

5. Implementation Group: To oversee the effective execution of these recommendations, the formation of a dedicated implementation group is suggested.

6. Constitutional Amendments: The panel recommends introducing Article 324A for simultaneous Panchayat and Municipal elections and amending Article 325 to create a unified voter roll and photo ID system for all elections.

7. Handling Hung Parliaments: In cases of a hung house or no-confidence motions, fresh elections will be held. The new Lok Sabha will serve the remainder of the term until the next general elections, while state assemblies will continue until the Lok Sabha term concludes unless dissolved earlier.

8. Phased Elections: The committee outlines a two-step approach: first, aligning Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, followed by municipal and Panchayat elections within 100 days.

9. Election Continuity: Should a hung parliament or no-confidence motion occur, fresh elections will be held. The new Lok Sabha will complete the remaining term of the previous house, and state assemblies will continue until the Lok Sabha's term ends, barring earlier dissolution.

10. Election Commission Readiness: The panel advises the Election Commission to plan and procure necessary equipment, including EVMs and VVPATs, to ensure smooth election management.

11. Unified Voter System: A unified voter roll and identity card system for all elections are proposed, requiring constitutional amendments and state ratifications.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Conrad Sangma's National People's Party (NPP) support the proposal, opposition comes from Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). This proposal aims to streamline the electoral process, potentially reducing the frequency of elections and their associated disruptions.