Soumya Singh
Inaugurating the commencement of the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ initiative, the 22nd Law Commission is poised to present its conclusive findings on the viability of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies to the Union Law Ministry in the upcoming week, according to a high-ranking official within the Ministry. The Commission, under the leadership of Justice Rituraj Awasthi, is expected to advocate for the comprehensive implementation of simultaneous polls by 2029, strategically proposing a phased approach to the process. The potential adjustment of the terms of certain state assemblies, entailing Constitutional amendments, will be a key facet, necessitating a meticulous and calibrated execution, as highlighted by the officials.
Efforts to synchronize elections have entailed addressing concerns related to Constitutional amendments, with the report meticulously outlining a formula for aligning assembly polls by either extending or reducing tenures, enabling their synchronization with the Lok Sabha polls commencing from 2029.
Notably, this revelation follows the initial report on September 26, indicating the Law Commission’s ongoing efforts in finalizing its comprehensive report on ‘One Nation, One Poll’, with anticipated timelines set to kick off in 2024.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of speculations regarding the prospective of a report by a high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, on ‘One Nation, One Poll’ to the Union government, tentatively scheduled for February or March, preceding the 2024 general election. The imminent report, once submitted, is expected to undergo scrutiny and consideration by the Kovind panel, marking a pivotal step forward in this ambitious electoral reform endeavour.