New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday, December 11, approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill. However, before the plan can be implemented, at least six bills to amend the Constitution must be passed, and the government will require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The government will likely table the Bill during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
The government had constituted a committee headed by former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. What is the concept of ‘One Nation, One Explained’? In this article, we explain what ‘One Nation, One Election’ is.
What is One Nation, One Election?
“One Nation, One Election” means that elections for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies and local bodies, whether urban or rural, will happen in the same year, even if they don’t occur at the same time. This plan aims to hold Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections together across the country.
Is there any benefit to holding ‘One Nation, One Election’?
Those who support this ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan say that holding joint elections can save money, improve election management, and increase voter turnout.
However, some critics worry that the Centre might misuse its power, affecting regional parties and state politics.
Are there any challenges in implementing “One Nation, One Election”?
The proposal to have simultaneous elections offers potential benefits but faces pushback. Critics are worried about how this might affect our democracy, the focus on national issues over local ones, and whether changes to the Constitution are required.
To implement simultaneous elections, we need to amend the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and approval from at least half of the states.
Important constitutional articles, such as 83, 85(2)(B), 174(2)(B), 356, and 75(3), as well as the Representation of People’s Act of 1951, require changes, which present significant challenges.
Also, enough voting machines, polling stations, and security staff must be ensured to manage the elections effectively.
What did the Kovind Panel Report say?
The panel submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu in March. According to NDTV, the report mentions a “unanimous opinion that simultaneous polls should be held.”
The panel stated that this change could “transform the electoral process.” They noted that 32 political parties and retired senior judges supported the idea. Additionally, over 80 per cent of nearly 21,000 public suggestions favoured this change.
The first step will be to hold Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections at the same time. Local body elections will occur within 100 days.
The panel also provided suggestions for situations where an Assembly or Lok Sabha may be dissolved early, in cases of defections, or in a hung election.
‘One Nation, One Election’: How Will This Work?
What will happen to state governments elected before 2029 that do not complete their five-year term? Next year, 23 states and union territories will hold elections, including local body elections.
The Kovind panel suggests shortening the term of each assembly to align with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. This means the 2025 Delhi election winner will serve for only four years, while the winner of the 2028 Karnataka election will serve for just one year.
If an assembly is dissolved early for any reason, the panel recommends holding new elections. However, the new term must end in time for the next ‘one nation, one election’ cycle.
In 2015, the Election Commission made a similar suggestion. They proposed that mid-term polls should only cover the remaining time of that term. They also suggested introducing a ‘confidence motion’ alongside any ‘no-confidence motion’ in assemblies to name an alternate Chief Minister if the current one is removed.
History of Simultaneous Elections
The idea of holding simultaneous elections began with the first general elections in 1951-52, which took place alongside all the Vidhan Sabha polls. This practice continued until 1967 when hung assemblies changed things. In the following years, many Lok Sabhas and state assemblies were dissolved early, disrupting the schedule for simultaneous elections.
The Union Cabinet approved the “One Nation, One Election” bill to synchronise Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. Read on to learn about ‘One Nation, One Election’ and more. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
