Wed Sep 18 19:12:38 UTC 2024: ## India Moves Towards ‘One Nation, One Election’: Cabinet Approves Proposal
**New Delhi:** The Indian Cabinet on Wednesday approved the government’s “One Nation, One Election” proposal, paving the way for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. The proposal also suggests conducting urban body and panchayat elections within 100 days of the national elections.
The move is based on recommendations made by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee had submitted its report earlier this year. The government is expected to introduce a bill in Parliament’s winter session to implement the proposal, which will require constitutional amendments.
The proposal has triggered a political storm with the Congress, AAP, and other opposition parties vehemently opposing it, while the BJP and its allies have welcomed the move. Notably, the Kovind committee had consulted with 62 political parties, with 32 supporting the proposal and urging its implementation. However, 15 parties, including the Congress, opposed it.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, announcing the Cabinet decision, emphasized the historical practice of holding simultaneous elections from 1951 to 1967. He pointed out that frequent elections disrupt development and create a constant election atmosphere in the country.
The government is planning to establish an implementation group to work on the proposal’s execution. Broad consultations across the country are planned over the coming months, with the government aiming for consensus.
The proposal has drawn significant support from young people, with 80% expressing their approval during the consultations, according to Vaishnaw. The opposition, however, is likely to face internal pressure as the proposal has gained public support.
Currently, elections in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Telangana are held six months before the Lok Sabha elections. Other states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, and Delhi hold elections five to seven months after the national elections. The remaining states hold elections at intervals ranging from one to three years.
The “One Nation, One Election” proposal aims to eliminate this staggered election schedule, potentially leading to a more efficient and cost-effective electoral system. The government believes it will also help to reduce political interference in the administration during election periods.
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