The government has formed a committee over One Nation, One Poll, which will be headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee’s objective is to investigate the feasibility of implementing the concept of ‘one nation, one election’, even as opposition parties slammed the move, calling it “impractical” and a bid to end “opposition parties”.
The committee will engage with state stakeholders, but it doesn’t necessarily indicate that the bill will be introduced during this session. The committee plans to seek both legal and political opinions, and it is anticipated that two retired judges will also be part of the committee. This is because the proposed changes involve a constitutional amendment.
Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed strongly for the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, and the decision to task Kovind to look into it underscores the government’s seriousness as a host of elections approach.
The other members, who are likely to be a part of the panel, are cabinet Secretary, ex-CJI, ex-ECI, retired judges, constitution experts and political leaders.
Assembly polls are due in five states in November-December and they will be followed by the Lok Sabha elections in May-June next year.
However, the recent moves by the government have thrown open the possibility of advancing the general elections and some state polls, which are scheduled after and with the Lok Sabha contest.