Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan, clearing draft legislations aimed at holding simultaneous elections across India. The decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a significant step toward reducing the frequency of elections in the country.
The draft bills are expected to be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing Winter session, with the government emphasizing wider consultations, including input from parliamentary committees and state legislative assembly speakers.
The plan follows recommendations made in September by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee outlined 11 key proposals to streamline the election process in India.
The 11 Recommendations of the One Nation, One Election Panel
1.Impact on Economy and Society: Frequent elections disrupt the economy, polity, and society. The panel recommends simultaneous elections to mitigate this impact.
2.Phased Alignment: Election dates for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be aligned first. Subsequently, municipal and panchayat elections will be synchronized within 100 days of general elections.
3.Synchronization Notification: Following a general election, the President will issue a notification to designate the Lok Sabha’s first convening date as the ‘appointed date,’ ensuring continued synchronization.
4.Shortened Terms for New Assemblies: Newly-formed state assemblies may have shortened terms to align with upcoming general elections.
5.Implementation Group: A dedicated group will be formed to oversee and ensure the smooth execution of simultaneous elections.
6.Constitutional Amendments: Introduction of Article 324A to facilitate synchronized elections for Panchayats and Municipalities, and amendment to Article 325 for a unified voter roll and photo ID card.
7.Response to Hung House or No-Confidence Motion: In cases of a hung house or no-confidence motion, fresh elections will be held, but the new Lok Sabha or assembly will only serve until the next synchronized election.
8.Election Phases: The first phase will synchronize Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, while municipal and panchayat elections will follow within 100 days.
9.Fixed Terms for Elected Bodies: Newly elected Lok Sabha or assemblies after a no-confidence motion will serve the remaining term of the dissolved house. State assemblies will align with the Lok Sabha term unless dissolved earlier.
10.Election Equipment Procurement: The Election Commission is advised to plan for the acquisition of necessary equipment, such as EVMs and VVPATs, to ensure smooth management of simultaneous polls.
11.Unified Voter Roll and ID Card: A unified voter roll and ID card for all elections are proposed, requiring a constitutional amendment and ratification by the States.
Implications of the Plan
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative aims to reduce election-related disruptions, streamline governance, and improve the efficiency of election management. However, implementing these reforms will require significant constitutional amendments and consensus-building across political parties and states.
