The Modi government approved the One Nation One Election (ONOE) Bill in the cabinet meeting on Thursday. As per reports, the Modi government can table ONOE bill in the House in the winter session next week. After the bill is tabled, it is said that a JPC committee will be formed and suggestions will be taken from all the parties. Finally, this bill will be brought to Parliament and it will be passed. Earlier, Ramnath Kovind's committee had submitted its report related to One Nation One Election to the government.
Currently, elections are held in different states at different times in the country. After the bill becomes law, there is a preparation to conduct simultaneous elections in the country. However, many India Block parties like Congress and AAP have opposed this move of the government. The opposition has alleged that this will benefit the ruling party at the Center. Key NDA allies like Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Chirag Paswan have supported holding simultaneous elections.
What is One Nation One Election?
After the proposal of ONOE was passed by the Modi Government a few months back, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had clarified by saying, 'Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held together in the first phase. After this, civic elections should be held together in the second phase within 100 days.' In simple terms, 'One Nation, One Election' means that all Indians would cast their votes for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the same year, if not simultaneously.
On September 17, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government would implement 'One Nation One Election' in this term itself. On August 15, the Prime Minister had said that frequent elections are creating obstacles in the progress of the country.
The committee on ONOE was headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu on March 14 earlier this year. The report is of 18 thousand 626 pages. The panel was formed on 2 September 2023. This report is the result of 191 days of research after discussion with stakeholders and experts. The committee has suggested extending the tenure of all assemblies till 2029.
What are the recommendations of the Kovind Committee on One Nation One Election?
Below are the recommendations made by the Kovind Committee-
- The term of all state assemblies should be extended till the next Lok Sabha elections i.e. 2029.
- In case of a hung assembly (no one has a majority), or no-confidence motion, fresh elections can be held for the remaining 5-year term.
- In the first phase, Lok Sabha-Assembly elections can be held simultaneously, after which in the second phase, local body elections can be held within 100 days.
- The Election Commission will prepare a single voter list and voter ID card for Lok Sabha, Assembly, and local body elections in consultation with state election officials.
- The Kovind panel has recommended advance planning of equipment, manpower, and security forces to conduct simultaneous elections.
Why the Modi Government is keen to bring ONOE?
The government has previously highlighted several potential benefits and challenges. The government is of the view that conducting simultaneous elections could lead to significant financial savings. This approach would reduce the need for deploying poll officials and security forces multiple times a year, thereby lowering costs for both the public exchequer and political parties during campaigns.
Holding elections at different times, according to the government, results in the Election Code of Conduct being in effect more frequently. This situation can hinder the implementation of welfare schemes by both central and state governments. The government also believes that a single election could enhance voter turnout, which currently varies widely between states and even during general elections.
Challenges for ONOE
Legal experts have cautioned that without amending certain key Articles, the proposal could face legal challenges regarding its compliance with India's federal structure.
One of the significant challenges is determining how to proceed if a state government or the central government is dissolved or faces a no-confidence motion before its term concludes. It would be impractical to mandate that all other states hold fresh elections in such a scenario, complicating the synchronisation of electoral cycles.
(with inputs IANS)