The High-Level Committee, chaired by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, appointed by the Government to explore the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections across the nation, convened its third meeting in New Delhi today. The meeting saw the participation of distinguished members, including Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice, Shri N. K. Singh, former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, and Shri Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner.
At the commencement of the meeting, the Committee Chair, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, welcomed the members and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting, which was held on the 25th of October 2023. The actions taken based on the decisions of the previous meeting were also reviewed.
Dr. Niten Chandra, the Committee’s Secretary, provided an update on the various follow-up actions taken since the second meeting and during the intervening period.
Significantly, on the 5th of January, a public notice was disseminated in 105 leading newspapers across the country, inviting suggestions from citizens regarding the necessary changes in the existing legal and administrative framework required to facilitate simultaneous elections by the 15th of January. Citizens were encouraged to submit their feedback via email and the Committee’s website. Impressively, the Committee received a total of 20,972 responses, with an overwhelming 81% expressing support for the concept of simultaneous elections. Furthermore, suggestions were also solicited from 46 political parties, and to date, responses have been received from 17 of them. The Committee took note of suggestions provided by the Election Commission of India as well.
In addition to these efforts, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the Chairman of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, initiated discussions with eminent jurists, former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and High Courts, former Chief Election Commissioners of India, and heads of prominent organizations such as the Bar Council of India, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and CII.
The Committee has scheduled its next meeting for the 27th of January as it continues its comprehensive deliberations on the feasibility and implications of simultaneous elections in the country
