Anirudh Alex Victor
The Central Government has announced the formation of a ‘High-Level Committee’ to investigate the notion of ‘One nation, One election’ (simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local authorities). Former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will chair the Committee.
The Committee includes Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of the Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Former Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, Former Secretary General of Lok Sabha Dr Subhash C Kashyap, and Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.
The Committee has been requested to “examine and recommend whether constitutional amendments would require ratification by the states” It will also “analyze and recommend possible solutions in the event of simultaneous elections arising from a hung House, the adoption of a no-confidence motion, defection, or any other such event.”
The Committee shall establish its method of holding meetings and performing other necessary responsibilities. The Committee will listen to everyone and consider any statements or messages that might help it do its job better.
The Committee has been asked to give its recommendations “at the earliest”.
As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the terms and reference of the HLC shall be to—
(a) examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities and Panchayats, keeping in view the existing framework under the Constitution of India and other statutory provisions, and for that purpose, examine and recommend specific amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the rules made thereunder and any other law or regulations which would require amendments for holding simultaneous elections;
(b) examine and recommend if the amendments to the Constitution would require ratification by the States;
(c) analyze and recommend possible solutions in a scenario of simultaneous elections emerging out of a hung House, adoption of the no-confidence motion, or defection or any such other event;
(d) suggest a framework for synchronization of elections and, specifically, suggest the phases and time frame within which simultaneous elections may be held if they cannot be held in one go and suggest any amendments to the Constitution and other laws in this regard and propose such rules that may be required in such circumstances;
(e) recommend necessary safeguards for ensuring the continuity of the cycle of simultaneous elections and recommend necessary amendments to the Constitution so that the process of simultaneous polls is not disturbed;
(f) examine the logistics and human resources required, including EVMs, VVPATs, etc., for holding such simultaneous elections;
(g) examine and recommend the modalities of use of a single electoral roll and electoral identity cards to identify voters in elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities and Panchayats.
“The HLC may hear and entertain all persons, representations and communications which, in the opinion of the HLC, shall facilitate its work and enable it to finalize its recommendations” the notification says.