Wed Sep 18 11:07:57 UTC 2024: ## India Approves “One Nation, One Election” Proposal, Aiming for Simultaneous Polls
**New Delhi:** The Union Cabinet has given its green light to the “one nation, one election” proposal, paving the way for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (national parliament) and state assemblies. The decision was based on a report submitted by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
The Kovind panel recommended simultaneous elections as a first step, followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days. The committee, set up last year, believes that holding elections concurrently would save resources, promote development, and strengthen democratic foundations.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the benefits, stating that simultaneous elections were previously held from 1951 to 1967, and that the Law Commission in 1999 had also recommended them to minimize election expenses and maintain law and order.
The proposal has generated mixed reactions. While the government sees it as a step towards faster development and a unified India, the opposition Congress party has deemed it “impractical” and a distraction tactic ahead of elections.
A bill for the “one nation, one election” initiative is expected to be introduced in Parliament during the upcoming winter session. The proposal would require constitutional amendments, most of which would not need state ratification but would require parliamentary approval.
The Law Commission is also working on its own report on simultaneous polls, which is expected to recommend elections for all three tiers of government (Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies) starting in 2029. The commission may also propose a “unity government” provision in case of a hung parliament or a no-confidence motion.
The “one nation, one election” initiative is likely to be a major talking point in the upcoming months as the government seeks to implement this ambitious reform.
First Piper 