What it will take to have simultaneous elections in India: Unpacking the Kovind committee

 Context: Recently the High Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections has submitted its report

     Brief details of the recommendation:

• Recommends simultaneous elections for all three tiers.
• Suggests synchronizing local body elections within 100 days of state and national elections.
• 15 amendments to the Constitution of India are proposed.
• Two Constitution Amendment Bills are recommended to implement the transition.

 Details of the First Constitution Amendment Bill:

• Can be passed by Parliament without ratification by state assemblies.
• Suggests inserting a new article, 82A, into the Constitution to establish the transition to simultaneous elections.
• Suggests amending Article 327 to expand Parliament’s power to include the conduct of simultaneous elections.

Details of second Constitution Amendment bill:

• Requires ratification by states due to its focus on municipal and panchayat elections falling under the State List.
• A new Article 324A is proposed to empower Parliament to enact laws for simultaneous municipality and panchayat elections with General Elections.

New sub-clauses are recommended for Article 325, introducing a “Single Electoral Roll” for territorial constituencies covering elections at various levels.

Source: Indian Express