An Indian government-appointed commission chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind has proposed that the country hold simultaneous national and regional elections to boost transparency, cut expenses, and improve governance.
The world’s largest democracy, with 1.4 billion inhabitants, has a federal structure allowing separate elections for parliament and legislatures in its 28 states. Both serve five-year terms.
The current Bharatiya Janata Party government has long argued that “one nation, one election” will reduce expenditures.
Mr Kovind delivered the committee’s findings to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.
“Based on suggestions from parties, experts, and other stakeholders, the committee was unanimous in its view that simultaneous elections will bring fundamental transformation in the electoral process and overall governance,” the committee stated in its report.
“Asynchronous elections cause uncertainty and instability, thwarting supply chains, business investments, and economic growth.
Indian elections are among the most expensive in the world, and they require massive logistical support from the government in a country where millions of people continue to live in poverty.
The Centre for Media Studies in New Delhi estimates that the state, political parties, and candidates spent 550 billion rupees ($8 billion) in the 2019 general election.
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