The panel constituted by President Ram Nath Kovind to study the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in the country will hold its first meeting on September 23. The panel, led by former defence secretary Nripendra Misra, aims to examine the pros and cons of conducting simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The idea is to eliminate the continuous cycle of elections and enable better governance. The panel will engage with various political parties and stakeholders to gather their opinions and feedback on the matter. The meeting on September 23 will be the panel’s first step towards understanding the different perspectives on simultaneous polls. The concept of holding simultaneous elections has been debated in India for quite some time now, with proponents arguing that it will reduce election expenditure and ensure uninterrupted focus on development. However, critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and practicality of such a move. The panel will consider these aspects and other challenges associated with simultaneous polls during its deliberations. The panel is expected to submit a report to the President with its findings and recommendations. It will also propose a roadmap for implementing simultaneous elections, if found feasible. The idea of simultaneous elections has been discussed by the current government as well, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders expressing their support for the concept. However, any decision on this matter would require significant constitutional amendments and thorough consensus among all political parties. The Kovind panel’s first meeting on September 23 will mark the beginning of a detailed examination of the issue, with the aim of arriving at a well-rounded understanding and determining the way forward.