The Union Cabinet approved a major proposal aimed at combining Lok Sabha and state assembly elections into a single schedule, known as ‘one nation one election.’ This decision follows the submission of a report by a high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The proposed bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
Objective of ‘One Nation One Election’
The ‘one nation, one election’ plan aims to have elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies at the same time across the country. This idea, which was first suggested in the 1980s, is meant to cut down on how often elections happen and make the process simpler. The Law Commission backed this idea in a report from May 1999, recommending that elections for the Lok Sabha and all state legislatures be held together again.
In the past, elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held together in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this practice was disrupted when assemblies and the Lok Sabha were dissolved early in the following years. The new proposal aims to bring back this combined election system to make governance smoother and cut down on interruptions caused by frequent elections.
Government and opposition reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong supporter of the ‘one nation, one election’ proposal. In his Independence Day speech last month, he said that frequent elections get in the way of the country’s growth and development. Modi believes that holding elections at the same time for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies would make the political process smoother and more efficient.
However, the proposal has faced significant opposition. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Shiv Sena (UBT), have expressed concerns. They argue that ‘one nation, one election’ could lead to a shift from a parliamentary system to a presidential system. Congress leader P. Chidambaram has criticized the BJP-led NDA government, claiming that implementing this proposal would require at least five constitutional amendments. He also noted that the current government lacks the majority needed to pass these amendments in Parliament.
As the government gets ready to introduce the new bill, there is ongoing debate about how it will impact the country and whether it can be successfully put into action. This proposal is a big shift in how elections are held and could have significant effects on Indian politics and how the country is run.
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