Kovind panel recommends simultaneous polls, common electoral roll among other key suggestions

The high-level committee report headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, that comprises of 18,626 pages was submitted on Thursday which recommended preparation of a common electoral roll and voter ID cards by the Election Commission of India in consultation with state election authorities among others.

The report claims to be based on extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts and research work of 191 days, since its constitution on September 2, 2023.

At present, the Election Commission of India  is responsible for Lok Sabha and assembly polls, while local body polls for municipalities and panchayats are managed by state election commissions.

Here are some key recommendations of the report:

-The report recommends advance planning for equipments, manpower and security forces for holding simultaneous polls.
-Election Commission to prepare one electoral roll, voter ID cards in consultation with state poll authorities for LS, assembly, local body polls.
-The panel said simultaneous polls to significantly enhance transparency, inclusivity, ease and confidence of voters.
-Simultaneous polls can also help realize aspirations of 'India, that is, said the Panel.
-Synchronized polls for all 3 tiers of govt to improve governance architecture, in line with quest of aspirational India.
-Simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha, assemblies can be held in 1st step, followed by local body polls within 100 days in 2nd step.
-In case of hung House, no-confidence motion, fresh polls can be held for remainder of five-year term.
-For first simultaneous polls, tenure of all state assemblies can be for period ending up to subsequent Lok Sabha elections.

Headed by Kovind, the panel also included Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission chairperson N K Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary-General Subhash C Kashyap, senior advocate Harish Salve, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.

(With PTI inputs)