Kovind-led panel discusses common ID, electoral roll

SIMULTANEOUS POLLS FOR STATE ASSEMBLIES AND THE LOK SABHA WERE HELD UNTIL INDIAN ELECTORAL SCHEDULES WERE CHANGED IN THE 1960s AND 1970s

- Deeksha Bhardwaj

The panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to discuss the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections across the country met for the first time on Saturday and discussed several aspects, including the possibility of a common voter ID card and electoral roll and the necessary modifications required in laws, people familiar with the matter said.

The eight-member high-level committee was announced by the Union government on September 2 to look into how simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats can be held in the country, a plan that could save money, but one that also involves many legal and procedural complications.

"The panel is deliberating on several issues, foremost of which is ensuring a timeline for the implementation of the one nation, one election idea," a person said on the condition of anonymity. "It will also deliberate on the legal and constitutional ramifications of the process to ensure that the polls are simultaneously conducted."