The seven-member committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind looks set to endorse the idea of one nation-one election in its report to be submitted to the govt in the next few days.
Sources indicate that the report, nearing its finalisation, is expected to propose appropriate amendments to the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act. These amendments aim to facilitate the synchronisation of Lok Sabha polls with state assembly elections by 2029. The recommendations will encompass safeguards to prevent disruptions to this synchronization due to contingencies such as a hung House, government collapse following a no-confidence vote, or minority status due to defections.
Lok Sabha and assembly polls were held together until 1967, but the simultaneity was broken because of the collapse of coalition govts in states and former PM Indira Gandhi's decision to call general elections in 1971, one year before they were scheduled.
The concept of simultaneous elections has faced opposition from prominent opposition parties, including Congress, CPM, CPI, DMK, TMC, AAP, and AIMIM. Conversely, the BJP has consistently advocated for it in its manifestos since the 1980s. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a staunch supporter, contending that frequent elections and the periods of inactivity mandated by the model code of conduct hinder rapid progress. He argues that consolidating elections would also result in significant savings for the exchequer.