The Union Cabinet has officially approved the ‘one nation, one election’ initiative, which aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. This proposal also includes urban body and panchayat elections to be conducted within the next 100 days. The approval comes after a report from a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which emphasized the need for this change starting in 2029.
Support from the Panel
The panel, which included prominent members like Home Minister Amit Shah and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, stated that simultaneous elections would significantly transform the electoral process and governance. They highlighted that this approach could optimize resources and make voting easier for citizens. Notably, the panel received backing from 32 political parties and notable legal figures, claiming that synchronized elections would lead to more stable economic growth and prevent disruptions in business activities.
Government’s Vision
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the new system will be implemented in two phases, creating a unified list to identify eligible voters for all elections. He noted that preliminary discussions showed about 80% of respondents support the ‘one nation, one election’ idea. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur added that simultaneous elections were common before 1962, and reinstating this system could help India achieve its development goals faster.
Opposition’s Concerns
Despite the government’s enthusiasm, the proposal has faced strong opposition from 15 political parties, including Congress. Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the plan as impractical and an attempt to distract the public from pressing issues. Senior Congress figure P Chidambaram emphasized that the current Constitution would need at least five amendments to facilitate this change, raising concerns about its feasibility.
Regional Party Reactions
Regional parties within the Congress-led INDIA bloc, such as the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress, have also voiced their opposition. Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee described the proposal as a threat to democracy, warning it could lead to autocracy under the guise of a democratic process. There are also worries that the initiative could undermine local issues by overshadowing them with national concerns during elections.
Understanding ‘One Nation, One Election’
The ‘one nation, one election’ proposal aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies. Currently, only a few states, like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, hold elections simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. Many states follow a staggered election cycle, which raises concerns about potential disruptions and the short-term impacts on state governments.
The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I compliment our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders.
This is an important step towards making our…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2024