NEW DELHI: The Law Commission on Thursday endorsed the idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, saying it would be “ideal and desirable”, but at the same time observed that this was not possible within the existing constitutional framework. The law panel said further deliberations were needed on the issue.
The panel put the draft report — along with an appeal seeking views from all stakeholders — on simultaneous polls in the public domain on Thursday, but deferred submitting it to the government. “In view of the complexity of the issues involved, it is desirable to have further discussions and examination on the matter, involving all the stakeholders, once again, before making final recommendations to the government,” the draft report stated.
As the tenure of Law Commission Chairman Justice B S Chauhan ends on Friday, the next commission would have to look into the issue. Agreeing in principle to the proposal of holding simultaneous elections, the panel stated that it “will save public money, help reduce the burden on administrative set-up and security forces and ensure better implementation of government policies… If simultaneous polls are held, the administrative machinery of the country will be continuously engaged in developmental activities, rather than in electioneering”.
Holding that simultaneous elections were not possible within the existing framework of the Constitution, the panel recommended changes to the Articles dealing with terms of Houses and convening of sessions.
It cited the no-confidence motion and premature dissolution of the House as major roadblocks and suggested that the parties that introduce the no-confidence motion should simultaneously give a suggestion for an alternative government.
It even suggested a relaxation of the rigours of the anti-defection law to prevent a stalemate in the Lok Sabha or Assemblies in case of a hung House. The panel suggested that in case of mid-term elections, the new Lok Sabha or Assembly would only serve the remainder of the term of the previous Lok Sabha/Assembly and not a fresh term of five years. The recommendations are not binding on the government, but the report will allow an informed debate among political parties and stakeholders.