One Nation, One Election: Union Cabinet Approves Concept Following Kovind Committee Report
An expert committee chaired by former President of India Ram Nath Kovind submitted a report to the Center in March 2024 regarding the implementation of the One Nation, One Election program. Today, it has been reported that the Union Cabinet has approved the concept and sealed the report. According to The Indian Express, the Cabinet made this decision after the completion of 100 days of Prime Minister Modi’s third term. It is now expected that the bill will be presented during the winter session.
Read this >> ‘One country, one election’… but many questions!
The Kovind Committee was appointed on September 2, 2023, towards the end of Prime Minister Modi’s second term. The committee worked on the subject for 191 days and submitted an 18,626-page report on March 14, 2024. The committee was comprised of various dignitaries from different backgrounds and sought suggestions from political parties, retired Chief Justices, former Chief Election Commissioners, State Election Commissioners, and legal experts. Public suggestions were also invited. The Bar Council of India, Confederation of Indian Industry, and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry were given opportunities to present their views.
The concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ has been a topic of discussion recently. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned this concept again during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.
What Did the Kovind Committee Suggest?
The Kovind Committee unanimously recommended that elections should be held simultaneously across the country and suggested necessary amendments to the Constitution and relevant laws. The Committee proposed a new Article 82A in the Constitution. This Article states that, “Notwithstanding anything contained in Articles 83 and 172, the full term of all Assemblies constituted before any general election held after the appointed date shall cease to exist.” The committee clarified that ‘all-country simultaneous elections’ would include combined elections for the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies—excluding panchayat elections. For panchayats, elections are proposed to be held within ‘hundred days’ after the Lok Sabha elections.
The report also noted, “Wherever the Legislative Assembly of any State has been dissolved due to a no-confidence motion, a hung House, or any other reason, fresh elections shall be held for such a House with the aim of aligning its term with that of the Lok Sabha.”
