One nation, one election: New committee headed by former President Kovind

As the debate on "one nation, one election" system are discussed by multiple panels, center forms a committee headed by ex-President of India.

A new committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine, Whether India can have a "one nation, one election" system, or simultaneous national and state elections countrywide, a report says.

In its 2014 Lok Sabha Election Manifesto, the BJP had promised to evolve a method for holding the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many BJP leaders have spoken on this matter on several occasions.

'One nation, one election' refers to holding both the Lok Sabha and all state assembly polls simultaneously across the country, like it was in the first few rounds of elections in India.

The move comes a day after the Centre announced a special session of the parliament from September 18 to 22, without revealing the agenda. The move signalling a big step forward on the long-debated proposal.

The surprise announcement was followed by intense speculation that a bill on 'one nation, one election' would be tabled during the session, but no one from the government has confirmed this.

Conducting polls simultaneously was the norm in India until 1967 and four elections were held this way. The practice stopped after some state assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968-69. The Lok Sabha was also, for the first time, dissolved a year ahead of schedule in 1970 and mid-term elections had been held in 1971.