The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has presented its meticulously compiled report to the President Droupadi Murmu. This document, spanning an impressive 18,626 pages, is the culmination of exhaustive consultations, spanning 191 days, since its establishment on 2nd September 2023.
Comprising eminent personalities such as Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N.K. Singh, among others, the Committee engaged in extensive discussions with stakeholders, experts, and the public to glean insights into the viability of simultaneous elections.
The Committee’s efforts were bolstered by contributions from 47 political parties, with 32 lending their support to the concept of simultaneous elections. A public notice elicited a staggering 21,558 responses from citizens across India, with an overwhelming 80% expressing support for synchronized polls. Notably, the Committee sought the perspectives of legal luminaries, former election commissioners, and business leaders, who highlighted the economic imperatives of such an electoral system.
Following thorough deliberations, the Committee proposes a two-step approach to realizing simultaneous elections. Initially, elections for the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies will be synchronized. Subsequently, elections for Municipalities and Panchayats will be aligned with national and state-level polls, ensuring a cohesive electoral process.
Moreover, the Committee advocates for a unified electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for all tiers of government, streamlining the voting process and enhancing transparency.
Crucially, the Committee’s recommendations are crafted within the framework of the Indian Constitution, requiring minimal amendments. It asserts that these measures will substantially augment transparency, inclusivity, and voter confidence, while fostering social cohesion and accelerating the nation’s development trajectory.
