ONOE Panel Led by Kovind Calls for Suggestions

NEW DELHI: The committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, focusing on the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, has invited suggestions from the public to enhance the existing legal and administrative framework, enabling simultaneous elections across the country. The committee, formed in September of the previous year, has conducted two meetings to date.

In a recent public notice, the high-level committee declared that suggestions received by January 15 would be thoroughly considered. The general public is encouraged to provide their input either through the panel's official website https://onoe.gov.in or via email on sc-hic@gov.in.

Former president Kovind has endorsed the concept of simultaneous elections and has urged all political parties to rally behind the idea for the greater good of the nation.

The committee had earlier sought the opinions of political parties, initiating interactions on a "mutually agreed date" to discuss the idea of concurrent polls. Subsequent reminders were dispatched to the parties. Letters were dispatched to six national parties, 33 state parties, and seven registered unrecognised parties.

The committee has also deliberated on the perspectives presented by the Law Commission regarding simultaneous elections, and further consultations with the law panel may be considered.

Apart from Former president Kovind, the committee comprises home minister Amit Shah, former Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad, 15th Finance Commission Chairperson N.K. Singh, former Lok Sabha secretary-general Subhash C. Kashyap, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari. Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is a special invitee.

According to its terms of reference, the committee is mandated to "examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities, and Panchayats." The committee will consider the existing framework under the Constitution of India and other statutory provisions, suggesting specific amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and relevant rules. The objective is to facilitate simultaneous elections, a practice followed nationwide from 1952 to 1967.