2-step process, amendments: A look at ‘one nation, one election’ panel proposals

Six months after the government constituted a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to study the “one nation, one election” proposal, the panel on Thursday recommended a legally tenable mechanism to restore simultaneous elections. A full term would mean five years from the date appointed for the first meeting of Lok Sabha or assembly at the end of which they shall be dissolved. The provision proposes that notwithstanding anything contained in Articles 83 and 172, all the assemblies constituted in any general election held after the appointed date shall end on the expiry of the full term of the Lok Sabha. “Notwithstanding anything contained in this constitution or any law for the time being in force, and after the expiry of the full term referred to in sub article, the Election Commission shall conduct General elections to the House of the People and the Legislative Assemblies simultaneously and the provisions of Part XV of the constitution shall apply to these elections mutatis mutandis with such modifications as may become necessary and which the Election commission may by Order specify.” To implement synchronised elections to municipalities and panchayats, the panel has proposed the insertion of Article 324A and an amendment to Article 325 of the Constitution. “Notwithstanding anything contained in Art 243E and 243U, Parliament may by law make provision for ensuring that the elections to Municipalities and Panchayats are held simultaneously with the General Elections, and for this purpose, make provisions as may be necessary including provisions for determination of the term of the Municipalities and Panchayats sooner than the expiry of five years from the date appointed for their first meeting, and for limiting the term of such Municipalities and Panchayats constituted under a mid-term election to the unexpired period of their term until the next general elections.” What does the panel recommend in case of a hung House, no-confidence motion, or any other such event?