New Delhi — The committee overseeing the feasibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections is unlikely to submit its final report before the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, its chair P. P. Chaudhary said on Tuesday.
Chaudhary, who heads the three‑member panel, told reporters that the group will hold additional consultations with stakeholders before it can complete its work. “We have more rounds of discussions planned,” he said, adding that the panel will travel to Uttar Pradesh on July 9 to meet officials and gather further data.
The panel, constituted by the Centre in 2023, is tasked with examining the logistical, financial and constitutional implications of holding all elections at once. Its interim findings, released earlier this year, highlighted challenges such as synchronising election schedules across 28 states and Union territories, the need for extensive voter‑list updates, and the strain on security forces.
The Monsoon Session, scheduled to begin in early August, is expected to be the first parliamentary opportunity for the panel to present its recommendations. However, Chaudhary’s comments suggest the report may be delayed beyond that window, pushing any legislative action on simultaneous polls to a later date.
Analysis:
The panel’s extended timeline reflects the complexity of overhauling India’s electoral calendar, a move that would require amendments to the Representation of the People Act and possibly constitutional changes. Delays could also be politically motivated, as the ruling party has hinted at simultaneous elections while opposition parties remain wary of the implications for campaign dynamics and regional autonomy. The upcoming visit to Uttar Pradesh, a key state for any national election reform, may be aimed at gauging administrative readiness and addressing concerns raised by state officials.
If the report is not tabled during the Monsoon Session, the issue could lose momentum in the legislative agenda, especially if other priorities dominate the session’s docket. Stakeholders, including civil‑society groups and election experts, have called for a transparent and time‑bound process to ensure that any decision on simultaneous elections is based on comprehensive evidence rather than political expediency.
Sources
– The Hindu, “Panel on simultaneous polls unlikely to finalise report by Monsoon Session,” July 5 2024, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/panel-on-simultaneous-polls-unlikely-to-finalise-report-by-monsoon-session/article71193892.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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