Law Ministry plans to table ‘One Nation, One Election’ report before Cabinet

The ministry of law and justice is likely to place before the Union Cabinet the report of the high-level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’ in the next one or two weeks, as part of the department’s 100-day plan for the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, officials aware of the developments said on Friday.

The panel, led by former president Ram Nath Kovind, had recommended simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step, followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days, in its report submitted to President Droupadi Murmu in March.

“The ministry plans to submit the (same) report to the Union Cabinet in the next one or two weeks. The report submission before the Cabinet has been one of the topmost priority of the NDA government and part of the ministry’s 100 day agenda under the government’s new term,” a ministry official said, seeking anonymity.

A second official, who also did not wish to be named, said the report was approved by the President.

On September 2 last year, the Centre had notified the eight-member panel to discuss the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections across the country, sparking a debate on an issue with far-reaching impact on politics, Constitution, and federalism.