The Union Cabinet has approved the One Nation, One Election proposal to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This bill is expected to be introduced during the upcoming winter session of Parliament, according to sources familiar with the development.
This decision follows the report submitted by a high-level committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which was presented to the Union Cabinet.
Key Details of the Proposal
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at a press conference, announced that the One Nation, One Poll initiative would be implemented in two phases. He emphasized the broad political support the proposal has garnered, particularly from younger voters.
Vaishnaw stated, “Over 80% of respondents during the consultation process have expressed positive support, especially the youth, who are largely in favor of this reform.”
However, the opposition remains divided. Several parties, including the Congress, AAP, and Shiv Sena (UBT), have opposed the idea, arguing that it would benefit the ruling party at the center. Nevertheless, the NDA’s allies, including JD(U) and Chirag Paswan’s party, have endorsed the concept.
Vaishnaw also mentioned plans for a common electoral roll for all elections and the formation of an implementation group to take forward the recommendations of the Kovind panel.
Electoral Reform: BJP’s Commitment
The Modi government formed the Kovind-led panel to assess the feasibility of simultaneous elections, a key promise in the BJP’s Lok Sabha election manifesto. The panel submitted its report to the President earlier this year in March.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the move as a landmark reform, adding, “This reflects Prime Minister Modi’s determination to strengthen our democracy through clean and financially efficient elections, which will accelerate economic growth.”
How One Nation, One Election Will Work
The panel’s extensive 18,626-page report proposes conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the first step. According to the report, this step requires only a constitutional amendment, and no approval from individual states is needed.
The next phase aims to synchronize elections for municipalities and panchayats with Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections, ensuring local body elections occur within 100 days of the general elections. This would require ratification from at least half of India’s states. Additionally, the panel recommended 18 constitutional amendments to make One Nation, One Election a reality.
BJP’s Renewed Focus in Modi’s Third Term
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders have increased their focus on One Nation, One Election. It was even highlighted in the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address, where he called for an end to frequent elections that, in his view, create obstacles to India’s development.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reaffirmed this commitment earlier in the week, suggesting that the One Nation, One Election initiative would be fully implemented within the current NDA government’s tenure.
Opposition Reaction
Not everyone is on board with the Cabinet’s move. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his party’s opposition, stating, “One Nation, One Election cannot work in a democracy. Elections should be held as needed to preserve democratic values.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the AAP also voiced their criticism of the proposal. The AAP’s Sandeep Pathak dismissed the concept as another political gimmick by the BJP, saying, “They couldn’t even conduct the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections together. How will they manage the entire country?”
The debate over One Nation, One Election is expected to intensify as the bill is introduced in Parliament. If passed, this reform could transform India’s electoral landscape, altering how and when elections are held across the country.