“One Nation One Election”: Govt issues notification of formation of High Level Committee and its work to do

“One Nation One Election”: Govt issues notification of formation of High Level Committee and its work to do

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ September 2,2023

Today, the union govt has issued the notification of constituting the High Level Committee [hereinafter referred to as ‘HLC’] to examine the issue of simultaneous elections and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed to lead a committee. Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Government of India, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Single Largest Party in Opposition, Lok Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, N.K.Singh, Former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission, Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, Former Secretary General, Lok Sabha ,Harish Salve, Senior Advocate and Sanjay Kothari, Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner as Members of this high level committee.

“One Nation One Election”: Govt issues notification of formation of High Level Committee . The High level committee will examine and make recommendation 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.

They will examine and recommend, if the amendments to the Constitution would require ratification by the States;  analyse and recommend possible solution in a scenario of simultaneous elections emerging out of hung House, adoption of no-confidence motion, or defection or any such other event; suggest a framework for synchronisation 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 also suggest any amendments to the Constitution and other laws in this regard and propose such rules that may be required in such circumstances;  recommend necessary safeguards for ensuring the continuity of the cycle of simultaneous elections and recommend necessary amendments to the Constitution, so that the cycle of simultaneous elections is not disturbed;  examine the logistics and manpower required, including EVMs, VVPATs, etc., for holding such simultaneous elections;  examine and recommend the modalities of use of a single electoral roll and electoral identity cards for identification of voters in elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities and Panchayats.