Simultaneous Elections:
The Union Cabinet approved a proposal for simultaneous elections across the country, aligning polls for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies across India.
- The decision came after a high-level committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted its report on the ‘one nation, one election’ plan.
- Bill 1: Simultaneous elections will be held to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. For this, no ratification by the states will be required for the constitutional amendment.
- Bill 2: Elections to municipalities and the panchayats will be synchronised with elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in such a way that local body elections are held within 100 days of the elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
- This will require ratification by not less than one-half of the states.
