New Delhi: Putting forward the proposal of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures, the Law Commission of India invited suggestions from political parties and the general public, The News Minute reported.
The commission wrote the parties and put a notice on its website for the public, seeking suggestions on the proposal that aligns with BJP's crucial "one nation… one" campaign.
The commission claimed that it had reached the conclusion that the idea was ideal and desirable and sought a workable formula for the Constitution.
In the public notice, inviting suggestions, the 22nd Law Commission chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi posed six questions. These were based on the draft report by the previous law commission. The notice stated that it would seek the opinion of the national political parties, the Election Commission of India, bureaucrats, academicians, experts, etc.
The first question asked whether simultaneous elections tinker the democracy, the basic structure of the Constitution or the federal polity of the country.
The proposal suggests that the Prime Minister or Chief Minister of a state could be selected as same the Speaker of the House of Assembly is elected if no political party wins a majority. The second question enquires whether it is possible and would be in consonance as well as conformity with the Tenth Schedule to the Consitution.
The third asks whether such an appointment of PM or CM by consensus amongst the political parties or elected representatives requires any amendment to the Tenth Schedule and, if yes, to what extent.
The fourth enquires about what other Articles of the Constitution might need amendments for the same.
In the fifth, the notice wonders if there are any other issues apart from those discussed in the draft report to holding simultaneous elections that would require an elaborate study.
The last question asks whether any suggestions made by the draft report violate the constitutional scheme. If yes, then to what extent.
The deadline to submit the suggestions is January 16, 2023.