Addressing reporters in Bengaluru after an interaction with Padma awardees, Chaudhary said the committee was actively considering safeguards to maintain synchronised elections even in the event of fractured mandates or no-confidence motions.
These include suggestions such as the German model of ‘constructive no-confidence’ and electing a Prime Minister or Chief Minister on the floor of the House.
“Janata Dal (Secular) gave a representation pointing out the infirmities in the Bill,” the Pali MP said.
“That is why we are inviting objections from various stakeholders to understand what the infirmities are in the Bill,” he added.
Replying to a question on “political instability and defections” in Karnataka over the last two decades, he said fractured mandates could arise irrespective of whether simultaneous elections are implemented.
He said India’s parliamentary democratic structure already has mechanisms to deal with such situations through majority support in legislatures and the provision of no-confidence motions.
On concerns over whether coalition governments formed under a simultaneous election system would last a full five-year term despite internal disputes, Chaudhary said the committee was examining multiple suggestions to preserve the election cycle.
