Cabinet accepts recommendations on simultaneous elections

The union cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind recommending simultaneous elections to the central and state legislatures as well as local self government bodies.

Elections in India were held simultaneously beginning the first election in 1951 until the elections in 1967. The Law Commission in its 170th report in 1999 had also suggested simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all legislative assemblies of states in five years.

Subsequently the Parliamentary Committee in its 79th report in 2015, suggested the methods for simultaneous elections in two phases.

The high level committee chaired by Ram Nath Kovind has come out with recommendations and way forward for implement simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies in two phases.

In first phase elections will be conducted for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies simultaneously with elections to local bodies (panchayats and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections.

There will be a common electoral roll for all elections.

The committee has suggested constitution of an implementation group and initiation of detailed discussions throughout the country on the process of simultaneous elections.

The high-level committee has undertaken extensive consultations with stakeholders, including political parties and experts. The report is available online at: https://onoe.gov.in.