The Union Cabinet has approved the government’s ‘one nation, one election‘ push – which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with urban body and panchayat polls to be held within 100 days – accepting the report of a panel led by ex-President Ram Nath Kovind.
“There is unanimous opinion that simultaneous polls (beginning from 2029) should be held,” the panel, which included Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and senior Supreme Court advocate Harish Salve as its members, had said.
The panel did, though, call for a legally sustainable way to re-align existing electoral cycles; it had been tasked with recommending solutions in case of a hung result, a no-confidence motion, or defections.
The ‘one nation, one election’ proposal was part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto for the 2019 and 2024 general elections, but has drawn heavy criticism from the opposition, who have red-flagged concerns over changes to the Constitution and practical challenges, including cutting short the terms of certain Assemblies to align them with the proposed new round of elections.
Sources within an undeterred government told NDTV last month the proposal would definitely be implemented in this, the third, term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Modi had said as much during his Independence Day address and he is committed to keeping his word, sources said.
What ‘One Nation, One Election’ Panel Said
Holding simultaneous poll will “transform the electoral process (and) governance” and “optimise scarce resources”, the high-profile panel said, noting 32 parties and prominent judicial figures, including former Supreme Court Chief Justices and High Court judges, had backed this measure.
Among the panel’s listed advantages for the ‘one nation, one election’ measure are that it makes the electoral process easier for voters. Synchronising polls will also result in higher and faster economic growth, and therefore a more stable economy, the panel argued, claiming a single round of elections will allow businesses and corporate firms to take decisions without fear of adverse policy changes.
The panel has also reasoned that (eventually) holding elections at all three levels – for the Lok Sabha, for state Assemblies, and for panchayats – will “avoid disruption of supply chains and production cycles due to migrant workers seeking leave of absence to cast their votes”.
The ‘one nation, one election’ push will also “prevent policy paralysis”, and do away with the “atmosphere of uncertainty” the government argues is brought on by frequent elections.
The panel, which gave its report in March, also said it had studied “best practices from other countries”, and consulted economists and the Election Commission, before delivering its verdict.
What Government Said
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the ‘one nation, one election’ system will be implemented in two phases, with a single list to identify eligible voters for all polls.
“We will start the discussion (on implementation) pan-India,” he told reporters, underlining that 80 per cent of respondents supported the ‘one nation, one election’ push during initial talks.
There is “widespread support” for this system, he said.
Last year, before the Ram Nath Kovind-led panel was announced, the Law Minister outlined the government’s rationale and told Parliament simultaneous elections represent financial savings as it cuts down on multiple deployment of security forces, and also helps political parties save money.
What Opposition Said
However, 15 parties, including the Congress, have opposed the ‘one nation, one election’ push.
The Congress has said this proposal is “not pragmatic and practical”. Party boss Mallikarjun Kharge, while releasing the party’s manifesto for next month’s Haryana election, called it “an attempt to divert the attention of the public”. “This is not going to succeed… the people will not accept it.”
READ | Not Practical: 15 Parties Rubbish “One Nation, One Election” Plan
“When elections come, and they don’t have issues to raise, they divert attention…” Mr Kharge said.
What Is ‘One Nation, One Election’?
Simply put, it means all Indians will vote in Lok Sabha, Assembly, and local body elections – to pick central, state, and local representatives – in the same year, if not at the same time.
At present, only a few states vote for a new government at the same time as the country selects a new union administration. These few are Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha, all of which voted at the same time as the April-June Lok Sabha election.
NDTV Explains | ‘One Nation, One Election’. What Is It And How It Can Work
Haryana votes next month, with Jharkhand and Maharashtra also voting this year. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is holding its first Assembly election in a decade.
The rest follow a non-synced five-year cycle; Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, for example, were among those voting at different times last year. And this has been flagged by the opposition, which has warned against cutting short the terms of the state’s respective governments.
Of these four, the BJP rules Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Congress rules Karnataka and Telangana, both of which voted last year and are not scheduled to vote again till 2028.
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