‘One Nation One Election’: When BJP topples the elected government of any state, will elections of entire country be held again? – asks Akhilesh Yadav. Mallikarjun Kharge calls it ‘impractical’ and ‘gimmick’ ahead of elections. M.K. Stalin, calls it, “A blatant attempt to undermine our federal structure.”
Cabinet approved this proposal unanimously after it was submitted by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The panel submitted this proposal in March, ahead of the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. ‘One Nation, One Election’, was one of the commitment in the Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto for the 2024 general elections.
Akhilesh Yadav, Former Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh
At the same time, by-elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and UP should also have been announced. When BJP topples the elected government of any state, will the elections of the entire country will be held again?
An official press release reads, “The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections under the chairmanship of former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind.”
Simultaneous elections: recommendations of high-level committee
- Elections have been held simultaneously between 1951 and 1967.
- Law Commission: 170th report (1999): One election to Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies in five years.
- Parliamentary Committee 79th Report (2015): suggest methods for simultaneous elections in two phases.
- High Level Committee chaired by Shri Ram Nath Kovind extensively consulted a broad spectrum of stakeholders including political parties and experts.
- The report is available online at: https://onoe.gov.in
- Extensive feedback has showed there is widespread support for simultaneous elections in the country.
Recommendations and way forward
- Implement in two phases.
- In first phase: conduct Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously.
- In second phase: Conduct local body elections (panchayat and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections.
- Common electoral roll for all elections.
- Will initiate detailed discussions throughout the country.
- Constitute an implementation group.
Amit Shah – ‘giants stride towards landmark electoral reforms’
Amit Shah on his ‘X’ posted, “Under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, Bharat has been witnessing transformative reforms. Today, in this direction, Bharat takes a giants stride towards landmark electoral reforms with the Union Cabinet accepting the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on One Nation One Election.
Further, admiring his leader he wrote, “This reflects Modi Ji’s iron will to bolster our democracy through clean and financially efficient elections and accelerate economic growth through more productive allocation of resources.
Ashwini Vaishnaw’s Cabinet briefing
During the Cabinet Briefing on Wednesday, the Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that, on completion of 100 days of the 3rd term of Prime Minister Modi, few historic decisions have been taken. The NDA government accepted the recommendations of the High-Level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’. He said, “The high level committee extensively consulted a broad spectrum of stakeholders including political parties, judges, constitutional experts, and a large number of experts from various fields and the committee had extensive feedback and a widespread support for simultaneous elections.”
According to Vaishnaw, “Implementation of this plan will be in two phases. In the first phase, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be conducted simultaneously. In the second phase, local body elections of the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad, and all other urban bodies like, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporations will be held.
‘One Nation, One Election’ – Will reduce financial and administrative burden, reduce use of ‘Black Money’
Aimed at curbing the use of ‘Black Money’, reducing corruption, ‘One Nation, One Election’, will streamline electoral process, will reduce the financial and administrative burden of frequent elections in our country.
PM Narendra Modi has been a strong advocate of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy. After unfurling the National Flag for the 11th time on Independence Day, addressing to the nation he said, “Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme or initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections.”
In his message posted on ‘X’ just an hour ago PM Narendra Modi said, “The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I compliment our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders.
This is an important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative.”
15 Opposition parties strongly oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’
Political parties and leaders have started raising their voices against ‘One Nation, One Election’. They call it a threat to the democracy.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge calls it ‘against Democracy’
‘One Nation One Election’, is BJP’s strategy to divert attention of public. This is against the constitution. This is contrary to the democracy. This is against Federalism. This will never be accepted.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
INDIA, that is Bharat, is a Union of States. The idea of ‘One Nation One Election’, is an attack on the Union and all its States.
M.K. Stalin, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu
The Union BJP Government’s push for ‘One Nation – One Election’ is a blatant attempt to undermine our federal structure. It’s a move towards centralised power that goes against the essence of #INDIA, a union of states. This abrupt announcement and the subsequent high-level committee formation only fuel suspicions. #OneNationOneElection is a recipe for #dictatorship, not #democracy.
Omar Abdullah, Former Chief Minister, J&K
So much for “One Nation One Election”. The EC is unable to conduct assembly polls in J&K with the general election even when they acknowledge that elections are due #GeneralElection2024
Khalid Tufail, Chief General Secretary, SP J&K
Democratic rights of the people of J&K were snatched away for decades. BJP toppling several state governments frequently poses constant threat to the democracy. If President’s rule is imposed in J&K, will the elected government have to wait till the next general elections or will there be fresh elections?
Appeal to all stakeholders’ to discuss, review and submit feedback
Vaishnaw said, “Now the committee recommendations will be open for discussion across the nation. Various forums like, federations, groups, industrial associations, unions, etc., are appealed to participate and contribute their feedback.” He specifically appealed to the youths to participate in this discussion and give the feedback.
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