Fri Dec 13 00:31:24 UTC 2024: **India’s Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill**
NEW DELHI – India’s central cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved legislation for “One Nation, One Election,” sources confirmed Thursday. The bills are expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
The decision follows a report submitted in March by a panel chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The report recommends holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies in a first phase, followed by local body elections in a second phase. The report also addresses contingencies such as government collapses due to no-confidence motions. The government formally accepted the panel’s recommendations in September.
The Kovind panel studied election processes in seven countries, including South Africa, Sweden, and Belgium, to explore the feasibility of “One Nation, One Election.” The report also cites examples of countries like Germany, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which hold simultaneous elections.
The proposed legislation outlines a phased implementation. Phase one would see simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies. Phase two would coordinate municipal and panchayat elections with the parliamentary and assembly elections within a 100-day timeframe. The President would designate the date of the first Lok Sabha sitting after a general election as the fixed date for future synchronisation. Newly formed state assemblies’ terms would be adjusted to align with the Lok Sabha’s full term, with temporary measures in place initially.
Contingency plans address scenarios such as hung parliaments or no-confidence votes. In such cases, a fresh Lok Sabha election would be held, with the newly formed government completing the previous government’s term. State assemblies would continue their terms until dissolution.
The Election Commission (EC) will, in consultation with state election commissions, prepare a single voter list and Electronic Photo Identity Card (EPIC), replacing any existing voter lists. The EC will also plan resource allocation, including procurement of EVMs and VVPATs, deployment of personnel and security forces.
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