Panel recommends ‘One-nation, One-poll’ to President Droupadi Murmu, advocates for simultaneous elections

New Delhi, March 14 (IANS) – A committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted a detailed report on ‘One-nation, One election’ to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. The report strongly advocates for holding national and state polls simultaneously, aiming to save expenses and improve governance.

The comprehensive report, running into thousands of pages, was prepared after extensive consultations from various stakeholders, former election commissioners, and constitutional experts. The committee, formed on September 3, 2023, included members like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad, and senior advocate Harish Salve.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of synchronizing national and state elections to reduce costs and enhance governance. ‘One-nation, One-election’ was a significant campaign promise of the BJP in the 2019 Parliamentary elections, showing a commitment to the idea.

The submission of this report marks a significant step towards exploring the feasibility of implementing simultaneous polls in India. With the backing of former President Ram Nath Kovind and other expert committee members, the proposal is now in the hands of President Droupadi Murmu for consideration and further action.