‘National Declaration 2026’: EC, State poll panels move to align Panchayat, assembly election laws after 27 years

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC), which conducts elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and the state election commissions (SECs), tasked with holding panchayat and municipal polls, on Wednesday reached a broad agreement to work on synergising the laws relating to elections to panchayats and municipal bodies with those relevant to parliamentary and state polls.

A 'national declaration 2026' adopted at the national roundtable conference of EC and SECs here -- held after a gap of 27 years -- underlined their concurrence that pure electoral roll and transparent conduct of elections are the bedrock of democracy. EC suggested that acceptable mechanisms and legally viable frameworks be worked out "in Constitutional and national interest" by all SECs, for synergising election processes, including the sharing of ECINET, EVMs, electoral rolls and training resources.

All suggestions given by SECs will be studied by a team of legal and technical officers led by senior EC officials, and a state/UT-wise way forward will be submitted to EC in three months "for the best possible decision".

While Lok Sabha and assembly polls are conducted as per provisions of the Representation of the People Act and Conduct of Election Rules, panchayat and municipal elections are held as per laws and rules enacted by the relevant state/UT. Thus, the processes relating to preparation of electoral rolls, conduct of polls and method of voting for parliamentary/assembly polls may differ from those used in panchayat and urban body polls within the same state/UT, even though the pool of state/UT officers engaged is common.

"Making the legal frameworks synchronous would ensure logistical ease and pure electoral rolls," an officer told TOI. Sources said the SECs of BJP-governed states/UTs on Wednesday unanimously backed this proposal.

Addressing the SEC's conference, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar called for institutional coordination between the EC and SECs, within their respective constitutional mandates. He advocated a harmonised approach to electoral roll management, adoption of technology and sharing of best practices to enhance the efficiency of electoral processes.
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