On September 23, The ‘One Nation, One Election’ Committee Held Its Initial Meeting: Ram Nath Kovind

The “One Nation, One Election” group will examine and make recommendations regarding potential outcomes for the concurrent elections as well as a framework.

Ram Nath Kovind, a former president, stated on Saturday that the first meeting of the “One Nation, One Election” committee, which would study and suggest holding elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, municipalities, and panchayats simultaneously, will take place on September 23. After the eight-member committee led by Kovind was notified by the Centre on September 2 to provide recommendations while taking into account the current legal framework under the Indian Constitution and other statutory requirements, this followed.

While in Bhubaneswar to attend a private university’s graduation, Kovind told the media, “The first meeting will take place on September 23.”

The group will examine and make recommendations for several scenarios for the concurrent elections, such as a hung assembly or the adoption of a no-confidence motion. It will also make recommendations for a structure and a timeline for the elections.

Union home minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, ex-chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh, ex-general secretary of the Lok Sabha Subash Kashyap, senior attorney Harish Salve, ex-chief vigilance commissioner Sanjay Kothari, and minister of state (law) Arjun Ram Meghwal are the members of the committee.

Chowdhury declined to participate in the “One Nation One Election” panel, though.

‘One Nation, One Election’ – what does that mean?

After the federal government convened a special session of Parliament from September 18 to September 22 without providing any justification, discussion of the “One Nation, One Election” concept started.

Notably, the nation had simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies until 1967. However, various legislative assemblies were dissolved in 1968 and 1969, and the Lok Sabha was dissolved in 1970, which forced a modification in the election dates.

Since taking office, Modi has advocated for holding the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections at the same time. Former President Kovind has already shown support for the notion in 2017. “Frequent elections not only impose a huge burden on human resources but also impede the development process due to the promulgation of the model code of conduct,” Kovind had stated in his 2018 speech to Parliament.