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‘One nation One Election good for democracy’

July 6, 2025, 3:26 am

JPC chairman P.P. Chaudhary says One Nation One Election is achievable, benefiting economy, democracy, and voter turnout significantly.

NEW DELHI: P.P. Chaudhary, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee formed for One Nation One Election, says that One Nation One Election is an issue of national interest. Therefore, all members of the committee are working with transparency, rising above party lines. Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

Q: Is One Nation One Election possible in the Nation?
A: Absolutely possible. Simultaneous elections have been held in the Nation earlier as well. After independence, from 1952 to 1967, four general elections and state elections were held simultaneously. Demands and efforts have been made earlier to hold simultaneous elections. Previous governments have also made such efforts. Niti Aayog, the Law Commission, Election Commission, and Parliament’s Standing Committee on Law have always said that the Nation will gain huge economic benefits if all elections are held simultaneously. According to estimates, the Nation will have a direct benefit of more than five lakh crores by holding simultaneous elections. Now, elections keep happening throughout the five years. Their effect is most felt by the common man. Children’s education is affected. People in government jobs and industrial production are also affected. Foreign investment is impacted by frequent elections because investors feel their work is disrupted. This causes a huge economic loss to the Nation and the states. Now, tell me, why should elections not be held simultaneously? Most states we have visited so far are in favour of holding simultaneous elections. Frequent elections also affect the development of states. The economic burden increases. States dependent on tourism are affected the most. Frequent elections ruin the economy of many hill states. Due to the imposition of the code of conduct, work stops. Lok Sabha elections are held in April-May, which is the peak tourist season for hill states. These states earn their real income during this period. Everything gets affected by elections. Then, Assembly and other elections also affect work. Administration gets busy with elections, which affects the common man. Governments are unable to take decisions. Two to three years pass without work in Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, and Municipal elections. If Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are held together, then elections will be held only once every five years. The work of the Nation and the state will be less affected. This will only strengthen democracy. When we go on tour, the mood of the people, especially the youth, seems to be in favour of One Nation One Election. The atmosphere in the Nation seems to be building in favour of One Nation One Election. You will see that in the coming one or two years, the people themselves will come out on the streets and support it.

Q: But the opposition is opposing it. They say it is not possible.
A: You must have heard the recent answer of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on One Nation One Election. When a journalist asked how it will be done, given that a two-thirds majority is needed and the opposition is opposing it, the Union Home Minister replied that when Mahatma Gandhi talked about independence during British rule, people also asked, “How will you do it?” Now the same thing is happening regarding One Nation One Election. We will go among the people and conduct programmes. When the public is awakened, no party will be able to oppose it. You must have understood. The Union Home Minister clearly said that they will create an atmosphere among the people. I also believe that Congress and other smaller parties opposing it will understand the sentiments of the people and support it. You will see that the One Nation One Election law will be implemented easily in the Nation. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held simultaneously. Look at the decisions taken so far; all were made after careful thought and thorough study. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind, which recommended holding simultaneous elections. The government accepted the recommendation of the Kovind Committee. Then, the government brought a bill to Parliament regarding this. Parliament sent this bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to ensure no one has any complaint. Parliament formed a JPC including members from almost all major parties. The 41-member committee, under my chairmanship, is doing its work. The committee is ensuring that no work is done in a hurry. We are listening to everyone and taking their opinions before preparing the report.

Q: From whom have opinions been taken so far? How many states has the committee visited?
A: So far, the committee has discussed with former Supreme Court judges U. U. Lalit, Ranjan Gogoi, Hemant Gupta, B. S. Chauhan, Delhi High Court judge Rajendra Menon, D. N. Patel, A. P. Shah, Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, and well-known lawyers Harish Salve and Abhishek Manu Singhvi. In the upcoming meeting on July 11, discussions will also be held with former Chief Justices D. Y. Chandrachud and J. S. Khehar, former Union Minister and Supreme Court advocate S. Nachiappan. The committee discusses every topic with legal experts regarding holding simultaneous elections. Regarding state visits, so far we have visited Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Union Territory Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Believe me, One Nation One Election is getting huge support. Governments are excited, while others seem unhappy about elections happening repeatedly. You will see that such an atmosphere will be created in the Nation regarding One Nation One Election that all parties will support it.

Q: JPC will visit more states now. When will the JPC be able to prepare its report?
A: We are not in a hurry. Our first effort is to visit states and collect feedback from members. There should be discussion with everyone, and the report should be prepared with consensus. As the tenure of the parliamentary committee is extended, the work will continue to progress. It is hoped that by 2028, One Nation One Election will take the form of law. Attempts have been made many times before for One Nation One Election, but serious efforts are being made now to implement it legally. The Election Commission, Niti Aayog, Law Commission, All India Professionals Congress, and Standing Committee on Law of Parliament — all experts are in favour of One Nation One Election.

Q: But to make a law, the support of two-thirds of the members of Parliament is needed in both houses. How will this be possible?
A: You are right; a two-thirds majority is needed. Today, I am telling you that there is no problem of support from the states. As far as Parliament is concerned, you will see that whenever the law is to be approved, most parties will support it. I will tell you why they will support it. They will support it because One Nation One Election will automatically get the support of the common people across the Nation. No party will be able to oppose it. I hope that the bill will be passed in both houses with consensus and become law.

Q: There is much discussion that voter turnout will increase with One Nation One Election, and free schemes will stop.
A: Absolutely correct. In states where general and Assembly elections were held together, voter turnout increased by about 11 to 20%. When one has to vote once in five years, voters come out in large numbers. They know the cycle of voting repeatedly is over. With increased voter turnout, a strong and stable government will be elected. A strong government is necessary for democracy. Regarding free schemes, it has been common that to win elections, parties announce many freebies to woo voters. This affects the states’ budgets and development work. You must have seen that due to free schemes, states’ debts increase, and sometimes there is a crisis in paying salaries. The poor are not really helped, and the weaker sections who should get benefits often do not receive them. Due to simultaneous elections, parties will be less able to use free schemes as an election issue. Most importantly, there will be less financial burden on the states. When the One Nation One Election law is made, Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections will be held simultaneously. This will not only strengthen the Nation’s democracy but also provide relief to the common people. The Nation’s expenses will be saved, investment will increase, and the Nation and states will progress.

BJP to Send Notices to Gadkari, Scindia and Other MPs Absent During Key Bill Introduction

December 18, 2024, 7:39 am

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will soon issue notices to its Lok Sabha members who were absent during the introduction of the ‘One Nation, One Election‘ bills on Tuesday. Notably, prominent leaders like Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Giriraj Singh were among those missing.

Earlier, the BJP had issued a three-line whip, directing all MPs to attend the session. Consequently, the party is now questioning the absent members. According to sources quoted by ANI, it remains unclear if the MPs had informed the party of their absence in advance or missed the session due to other commitments.

Bills Introduced in Lok Sabha

On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two significant bills:

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024

These bills aim to implement simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, opposition members protested the move and demanded a division of votes. During the voting process, 269 MPs supported the introduction, while 196 opposed it.

Bills Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee

Following the voting, the bills were referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberations. Explaining the decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recommended sending the bills to the JPC for detailed discussions.

BJP MPs Missing During the Vote

Interestingly, around 20 BJP MPs, including senior leaders and ministers, were absent during the crucial session. These included Nitin Gadkari, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Giriraj Singh, and CR Patil. In addition, other members like Shantanu Thakur, Jagdambika Pal, BY Raghavendra, Vijay Baghel, Udayraje Bhonsale, and Chintamani Maharaj also missed the division of votes.

Although their absence did not affect the introduction of the bills, it gave the opposition an opportunity to criticize the BJP. For instance, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor claimed that while the government had enough votes for the introduction, it lacked the numbers required to pass the bills. He urged the government to reconsider its persistence on the matter.

Challenges Ahead

Moving forward, the government faces significant challenges. While only a simple majority was required to introduce the bills, a two-thirds majority will be necessary to pass the constitutional amendments. Therefore, the BJP must address internal coordination issues and build consensus to ensure the bills’ success. Meanwhile, the opposition’s firm stance and ongoing debates are likely to add further complexity.

‘One Nation One Election’ Bill Will Be Sent To JPC For Detailed Discussion

December 17, 2024, 4:09 pm

The members of Lok Sabha on Tuesday voted on the ‘One Nation One Election’ bill or simultaneous elections to both Lok Sabha and state assemblies which was introduced. This bill requires amendment of the Constitution’s (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024′ and ‘The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024’. The bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions.

On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the house. The vote showed 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal’s formal introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on ‘One Nation, One Election’ and his agreement to sending the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said, “When the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. If the Law Minister is willing to send the bill to JPC, the discussion on its introduction can end.”

Meghwal also introduced a bill to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, as per the day’s schedule. These amendments aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing, “Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House.”

DMK MP TR Baalu opposed the bill, stating, “I oppose the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024. As my leader M.K. Stalin has said, it is anti-federal. The electors have the right to elect the government for five years, and this right cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections.”

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, echoing sentiments expressed by other I.N.D.I.A. bloc members, said, “I am standing to oppose the 129th Amendment Act of the Constitution. I cannot understand how, just two days ago, no stone was left unturned to uphold the glorious tradition of saving the Constitution. Within two days, this Constitution Amendment Bill has been brought to undermine the basic spirit and structure of the Constitution. I agree with Manish Tewari, and on behalf of my party and my leader Akhilesh Yadav, I have no hesitation in saying that there was no one more learned than the makers of our Constitution at that time. Even in this House, there is no one more learned. I have no hesitation in saying this.”

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TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, “This proposed bill hits the basic structure of the Constitution itself and if any bill affects the basic structure of the Constitution, it is ultra vires. We must remember that the state government and the state legislative assembly are not subordinate to the central government or to Parliament. This Parliament has the power to legislate law under the Seventh Schedule, List One and List Three. Similarly, the state assembly has the power to legislate law under the Seventh Schedule, List Two and also List Three. Therefore, by this process, the autonomy of the state legislative assembly is being taken away.”

‘Historical Precedent for Simultaneous Elections, Article 356 Misused’: Union Min Arjun Ram Meghwal

December 13, 2024, 8:48 pm

At the ‘Legally Speaking’ event organized by NewsX, Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal delivered a thought-provoking address on topics ranging from the significance of Constitution Day to the contentious “One Nation, One Election” initiative. His remarks spanned electoral reforms, parliamentary challenges, and pressing national issues.

Constitution Day: A Vision of PM Modi

Union Minister Meghwal highlighted the evolution of Constitution Day, an initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “When PM Modi assumed office in 2014, prior to this, November 26 was observed as Law Day. It was PM Modi’s vision, stemming from his days as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, to honor the Constitution. He proposed that this day be observed as Constitution Day.”

Meghwal elaborated on the origins of this observance, stating that in 2015, during Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued a circular declaring November 26 as Constitution Day. He credited PM Modi for transforming the day into a national celebration of the Constitution’s legacy.

Debate on One Nation, One Election

Addressing the controversial “One Nation, One Election” proposal recently approved by the Cabinet, Meghwal responded to opposition criticism that the government should instead focus on “One Nation, One Health System” or “One Nation, One Education System.” He dismissed these objections as unrelated, emphasizing the historical precedent for simultaneous elections between 1952 and 1967.

“The cycle was broken due to mid-term polls and Article 356 misused to dismiss state governments,” he stated. Meghwal argued that the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct disrupts governance and development. “PM Modi called an all-party meeting in 2019 on this subject, attended by leaders from all major parties except Congress,” he revealed. He pointed to countries like Indonesia and the U.S. as examples of streamlined electoral processes, urging opposition parties to support the reform.

Census, Delimitation, and Women’s Reservation

On the upcoming Census and its implications for the Women’s Reservation Act, Meghwal clarified, “The delimitation process is constitutionally frozen until 2026. After 2026, a Delimitation Commission will determine which seats are reserved for women and reassign SC/ST seats based on population changes. The Women’s Reservation Act, granting 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and Assemblies, will be implemented in subsequent elections.”

Parliamentary Decorum and External Threats

Meghwal also addressed allegations of conspiracies aimed at destabilizing India, citing recurring international controversies like the Hindenburg and Pegasus reports. “Some entities seem agitated by India’s rapid economic growth and stable government. They act through international reports or controversies, often surfacing days before Parliament sessions. This is a pattern to disrupt our institutions,” he asserted.

Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion Against Rajya Sabha Chairman

Meghwal criticized the opposition for filing a no-confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha Chairman, terming it “unprecedented.” He condemned their actions outside Parliament, stating, “They hold press conferences and malign the Vice President, which the Constitution doesn’t permit. Discussions should happen inside the House. This shows disrespect toward the Vice President.”

Concerns Over Bangladesh and Minority Safety

On the issue of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, which has garnered attention on social media, Meghwal stated, “This is a matter of concern. Even Dr. Ambedkar, during the partition, had warned about minorities facing atrocities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The government is taking necessary action, and we are also exploring legal avenues to address this issue.”

A Call for Democratic Consensus

Reflecting on the challenges of managing Parliament as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Law & Justice, Meghwal remarked, “It is one of the toughest jobs to ensure consensus and functioning in Parliament. These debates are crucial for our democracy, and I believe we are taking steps in the right direction.”

The event showcased a comprehensive exploration of India’s pressing legal and political issues, underlining the government’s priorities and its firm stance against opposition criticism. From electoral reforms to safeguarding minority rights, Meghwal’s address was a testament to the complexities of governance in a diverse democracy.

‘Two Articles in The Constitution Have To Be Amended For One Nation One Election To Come Into Effect’

December 13, 2024, 5:46 pm

At the ‘Legally Speaking‘ event organized by NewsX, prominent figures including Supriya Shrinate (National Spokesperson, Congress), Aman Sinha (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India), and G.V.L. Narasimha Rao (Former Member of Rajya Sabha, BJP) engaged in a robust discussion on the topic: “Does One Nation One Election Erode India’s Federal Structure?”

The Importance of One Nation One Election

S.Y. Quraishi, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, remarked, “The subject here is on the table for more than 10 years or more. The current controversy has been started when Mr. Narendra Modi before he became PM in 2013. All 3 tiers of election bodies should be held simultaneously and he gave the reason, cost, paralysis of administrations, no policy decisions could be taken.”

He further noted that issues like casteism, communalism, crony capitalism, and corruption persist, and from the Election Commission’s perspective, simultaneous elections would be beneficial as “voters will be the same, and the machinery will be the same.”

Impact of Frequent Elections on Governance

G.V.L. Narasimha Rao emphasized the challenges of constant electoral cycles, stating, “Elections are an important part of democracy, and we are holding elections to elect government. If you have elections every 3 months, you’re continuedly in that election mode, then no govt. can work peacefully.”

Federal Concerns and Opposition

Addressing concerns about federalism, Supriya Shrinate argued, “The union cabinet has adopted the report presented by former president Kovind, likely to table the bill. 50% of the Indian states are not going to ratify this and also not able to pass the muster of the house.”

Cost Reduction Alternatives

When questioned about alternatives to reduce public expenditure on elections, Shrinate pointed out, “There are about 30 lakh elected representatives in local bodies. It’s a very fancy acronym ONOE.”

Constitutional Amendments and Implementation

Aman Sinha discussed the constitutional amendments required for implementing simultaneous elections: “Only 2 articles of the constitution are required to be amended, primarily article 83, 172. For the unexpired term supposing that if house is at loss of confidence in a particular leader of the house then in that scenario the election would happen for the expired term. Election year starts one year before any election is announced. Therefore, clearly one nation, one election is an integral part of developed India.”

Shrinate countered, questioning the assumptions behind the proposal: “On what basis has this been assumed that inflation would be curtailed?”

Consensus and Alternatives

Quraishi highlighted the lack of consensus on the issue: “Previously in 2013 PM Modi insisted that there should be a national debate which should lead to a consensus. But for the last 10 years, there has been no consensus. The idea was dropped.”

Sinha suggested minimal changes to existing laws: “The proposals which are in offing should make minimal changes. Article 82 itself provides that 82(1) when starts it says that Rajya Sabha will have a fixed tenure of 6 years. The same thing has to be incorporated and imbibed in 82 (2) by where lok sabha have a fix tenure and unexpired term supposing if some MP expires and the election is set aside for some reasons then the elections take place for the residual period only.”

Quraishi proposed a phased approach: “Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha’s election will be separated and panchayat election be also separate, panchayat election will be done after 100 days. The committee also stated that there would be a mid-term poll.”

Trust in Voters

Shrinate expressed concerns about the impact on regional parties: “People in Indian policy-making and polity believes that this is against the grain of the constitution, this is against the federal nature of governance. This whole thing in the regional party is being scared; Congress and BJP are the political parties but we can’t negate the relevance and the emergence of the regional parties.”

Quraishi provided data on voting behavior: “77% of people vote for the same party and separated by one month it dropped down to 61%. Simultaneous elections actually influence voting behaviour adversely.”

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Sinha noted the support from regional parties: “As far as regional parties have been concerned, there was about 50-60 parties were invited by high level committee. Majority of the party has also supported this idea.”

Union Cabinet Greenlights One Nation, One Election, Comprehensive Bill Soon

December 12, 2024, 2:41 pm

The Union Cabinet has cleared the ‘one nation, one election’ initiative, sources said. The government will introduce a comprehensive bill during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly pitched for simultaneous elections on Wednesday. He said that frequent elections are thwarting the progress of the nation while speaking at the International Gita festival in Kurukshetra.

Chouhan appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “A glorious, prosperous, and powerful India is being built under the leadership of the prime minister. Soon, India will become the ‘Vishwa Guru’ (world leader) in front of our eyes. There is no doubt about it, and the whole world knows it.”

However, he said that the frequent election cycle is a major hurdle in progress: “Any other thing may be happening or not in the country, but election preparations continue for twelve months all five years,” he said. Chouhan highlighted the constant election cycle, from Lok Sabha elections to Assembly polls in states like Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.

The government accepted this year’s recommendations by a high-level committee on phased simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. According to sources, on December 9, the government has set its ball rolling with ‘one nation, one election’ as it has moved to table the bill during the ongoing session of Parliament.

The Ram Nath Kovind Committee’s report, which is already approved by the Cabinet, supports this proposal of holding simultaneous elections across India.

Winter Session to Tackle These Bills, Celebrate Constitution Day

November 5, 2024, 4:36 pm

The Winter Session of Parliament is set to commence on November 25 and will continue until December 20, as announced by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Tuesday. In a post on X, Rijiju stated, “President, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Winter Session, 2024 from 25th November to 20th December, 2024 (subject to exigencies of parliamentary business).”

He also mentioned that on November 26, Constitution Day, the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution will be celebrated in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

During this session, the government aims to pass the Waqf Amendment Bill, which is currently under review by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Additionally, there is a possibility of introducing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized his government’s commitment to implementing ‘One Nation, One Election,’ aiming for simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. He stated, “We are now working towards ‘One Nation, One Election,’ which will strengthen India’s democracy, give optimum outcome of India’s resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India.”

However, the Congress party has expressed opposition to this concept. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the idea as ‘impossible,’ stating, “What PM Modi has said, he will not do it, because when it comes in the parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence, then only this will happen. This is impossible, ‘One Nation One Election’ is impossible.”

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is actively engaging with various stakeholders across different states to address concerns and seek a consensus on the bill.

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The outcomes of the Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, scheduled to be announced on November 23, are also anticipated to be discussed in both houses during the session.

Kovind Pleads To Revive India’s Lost Election Vision; ‘One Nation One Election’

October 6, 2024, 4:34 pm

Former President Ram Nath Kovind, during the 30th Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture, brought a historical perspective to the current debate on India’s “One Nation, One Election” policy. What makes this speech stand out is the irony Kovind highlights about the criticism of simultaneous elections. He pointed out that during the early years of the Indian Republic, elections were held in sync—both for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, a practice only disrupted in 1968 when state assemblies were dissolved under the central government’s authority.

This isn’t just a throwback to a bygone era. Kovind’s reflection serves as a wake-up call to skeptics who argue that simultaneous elections might be undemocratic. In fact, he argues, it was the dissolution of this synchronised system that fractured the original electoral rhythm of the country. Kovind noted, somewhat sarcastically, that many of the political entities now opposing the idea of simultaneous elections had actually supported it in the past, adding a twist of political contradiction to the conversation.

His statement gains further momentum as he mentions that a majority of the political parties—32 out of 47 consulted—were in favor of this policy, revealing that a significant chunk of India’s political landscape supports this restructuring. Despite this support, the divergence in opinion shows how deeply entrenched the debate on electoral reforms is in India’s democracy.

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This lecture wasn’t just a defence of the policy but a call to revisit the aspirations of India’s constitutional forefathers, who envisioned a synchronised electoral system to foster greater efficiency and stability. Kovind’s speech serves as a reminder that revisiting historical practices could potentially lead to better governance in today’s challenging political environment.

BSP Chief Mayawati Backs ‘One Nation One Election’ After Union Cabinet Endorsement

September 18, 2024, 8:14 pm

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati has expressed support for the ‘One Nation One Election’ system following the Union Cabinet’s approval of the high-level committee’s recommendations. The committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, proposed holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.

Mayawati, in a statement on X, welcomed the Cabinet’s decision, noting that while the BSP supports the proposal, the objectives of implementing ‘One Nation One Election’ must prioritize national and public interests.

The comprehensive report, presented to President Droupadi Murmu, highlights the benefits of simultaneous elections, including reduced political uncertainty, enhanced policy stability, and economic advantages such as lower election-related costs. The report also outlines provisions for handling scenarios like a hung House or a no-confidence motion, specifying that any fresh elections would align with the unexpired term of the previous House.

The report, the result of 191 days of research and consultations, suggests synchronizing municipal and panchayat elections with national and state elections. However, this proposal requires ratification by at least half of the states.

The committee’s recommendations aim to improve voter confidence, streamline the electoral process, and strengthen India’s democratic framework.

NDA Government Focuses on ‘One Nation, One Election’ for Current Term

September 16, 2024, 8:55 am

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, despite its reduced numbers in the 2024 Parliamentary elections, remains determined to deliver on its long-standing promises from the 2014 agenda, sources have indicated. Over its first two terms, the Modi administration delivered key pledges like constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abolishing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Now, the focus is on fulfilling the “One Nation-One Election” promise.

The One Nation-One Election initiative aims to synchronize the timing of state assembly elections with parliamentary polls, something the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is committed to achieving in this term, sources reveal. Despite opposition from several parties and chief ministers, the BJP hopes to gain wider political support for the initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently argued that simultaneous elections would save resources, ease administrative pressure, and reduce the frequency of elections, which often disrupt governance. The High-Level Committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind supports this view, highlighting that frequent elections create uncertainty and impact policy decisions. The committee emphasizes that synchronized elections would not only improve policy consistency but also increase voter participation and reduce voter fatigue.

During his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, PM Modi reiterated his call for electoral reforms, including the implementation of One Nation-One Election. He expressed concern about the frequent electoral cycle’s effect on development and welfare schemes, urging political parties to support the proposal.

Additionally, the long-delayed national Census is expected to resume, although sources suggest that no decision has been made about the inclusion of a caste-based column. Opposition parties, including Congress, RJD, and SP, have been pushing for a Caste Census, as has NDA partner Chirag Paswan. The Census, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial for providing socio-economic and demographic data for policymaking.

This renewed push for electoral and census reforms underlines the BJP government’s continued focus on shaping long-term governance policies, even as it faces opposition and challenges in the current political landscape.

Kharge criticises idea of ‘One Nation, One Poll’

January 20, 2024, 9:11 am

The president of the Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, shared his thoughts on One Nation One Election and stated that he is against holding simultaneous elections in a parliamentary system of governance. Kharge suggested that the High Power Committee, which was established to investigate the notion, be dissolved and that the concept be abandoned in a letter to Niten Chandra, the Secretary of the High-Level Committee of One Nation One Election.

Kharge argued that simultaneous elections contradict the principles of federalism outlined in the Constitution and its basic structure. He emphasized this point in his letter, stating, “On behalf of the Congress party and the people of the country, I humbly request the Chairman of the High-Level Committee not to allow his persona and the office of former President of India to be abused by the Union Government to subvert the constitution and parliamentary democracy in this country.”

The Congress president raised concerns about the potential dissolution of legislative assemblies still in the middle of their terms, characterizing it as a betrayal of the electorate in those states. He emphasized that in a parliamentary system, there is no place for simultaneous elections.

Regarding the synchronization of state assemblies with the Parliament for simultaneous elections, Kharge criticized the reliance on the Niti Aayog report, describing it as neither a constitutional nor a statutory body. He pointed out the alleged malicious interpretation of the constitution by the Niti Aayog, suggesting the curtailment or extension of state assembly tenures.

Kharge dismissed the argument that the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct affects welfare schemes or development works, calling it baseless. He added that pre-existing schemes continue during elections, and the Election Commission can approve disbursements of these schemes.

Addressing the claim that the cost of conducting elections is excessively high, Kharge deemed it “baseless” by highlighting that election expenses make up a small percentage of the total Union budget. He noted that when elections are held separately for state assemblies, the respective states bear the full cost.

The Central government established a high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to study the concept of simultaneous polls. Last year, the government sought suggestions from national and state parties on holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.

Lot could be saved, says Anurag Thakur as praises the benefits of one nation, one election

September 4, 2023, 4:40 pm

Every year, a lot of time is spent in the country to conduct elections, which could be wisely invested in the nation’s development, Union minister Anurag Thakur said on Monday, commenting on the Centre’s prospect of holding simultaneous elections in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipal bodies, and panchayats under the one nation, one election drive.

While highlighting the benefits of such a move, Thakur stated that millions of crores of rupees are spent on elections by competing parties on both sides every year, which might potentially be avoided.

“In elections, a lot of time is consumed every year. If that time is invested mindfully in the development of the nation, then the country will get the benefit. The government and the candidates spend thousands of crores on conducting elections.

“If it happens at the same time, then a lot of money could be saved. All in all, it is for the benefit of the nation. If the opposition has a better solution, they can give it,” the Union minister told the reporters.

Earlier, the Centre announced the formation of an eight-member committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to investigate the feasibility of implementing the one-nation, one-vote campaign.

The Kovind group would investigate the feasibility and method of holding Lok Sabha and state assembly elections concurrently. These polls were in place until 1967. Following the statement, the Opposition and the government engaged in a political brawl.

INDIA alliance Mumbai meet: Opposition slams Centre’s ‘one-nation, one-election’ move

September 1, 2023, 2:45 pm

Top leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or I.N.D.I.A., began important negotiations on Friday to provide structure to their grouping and spell out their plans to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

During the third round of Opposition meetings, the leaders of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc are expected to issue a joint statement and declare the coordination panel, as well as certain sub-panels, to give proper shape to their poll plans.

Opposition lawmakers lambasted the government’s decision to form a committee to explore the possibility of one-nation, one-election, claiming it would jeopardize the country’s federal system. According to CPI leader D Raja, Prime Minister Narendra Modi always talks about India being the mother of democracy, so how can the administration make a unilateral decision without consulting with other political parties?

According to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, the country is already one and no one is disputing about that.

“We demand fair election, not ‘one nation one election’. This move of ‘one nation one election’ is being brought to divert the attention from our demand for a fair election,” he added.

The remarks occurred after former President Ram Nath Kovind was tasked with chairing a committee to investigate the possibility of “one nation, one election.”

UP CM Yogi Adityanath: One Nation, One Election is need of the hour

September 1, 2023, 2:02 pm

Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, stated on Friday on ‘One Nation, One Election,’ that in a democratic setting with stable government, rapid governance is required for progress, and ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a laudable endeavour in this regard.

Speaking to media CM Yogi earlier stated that, “For a rich democracy, political stability is really important and in a democratic set-up, with the stability of government, speedy governance is needed for development, with this point of view ‘one nation, one election’ is a commendable attempt.”

Expressing his views on the policy, CM said, “We are happy that the committee for ‘One Nation, One Election’ is formed under the chairmanship of our former president (Ram Nath Kovind).

“For this innovative initiative, I whole heartedly want to thank PM Modi on behalf of citizens of Uttar Pradesh,” CM Yogi further added.

Highlighting the importance of the proposal, Yogi Adityanath further continued, “One Nation, One Election’ is the need of the hour and it is important as elections which were being held time and again act as an obstacle in the path of development because election procedures take at least a month and a half’s time which obstructs the development process.

“So it is important that Loksabha elections, Assembly elections and other kinds of elections be held at the same time.”

“This is a great initiative not only for development but for the prosperity of democracy and stability of democracy and I welcome this initiative,” said the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.