Admin The Union Cabinet approves the One Nation One Election bills
The Union Cabinet of India approved the One Nation, One Election proposal on 12 December 2024, which aims to hold simultaneous elections for the national and state governments. This plan is designed to reduce election-related costs and improve governance efficiency. These bills are planned to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, and if passed, they will change the way they are held in the country.
Who initiated this One Nation One Election Plan ?
This reform is based on recommendations from a high-level committee led by the former president, Ram Nath Kovind. This plan was approved after a big discussion among the stakeholders, which includes the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; High-level Committee President Ram Nath Kovind; political parties; the Election Commission of India; and the Law Commission.
What is One Nation One Election ?
One Nation, One Election means conducting all elections in India’s national and state assemblies at the same time as a substitute for holding them at different times to reduce election-related costs and improve governance efficiency. It helps the government to focus more on development rather than promotion.
One Nation One Election Plan Includes
- Unified electoral roll and voter ID: The committee requests to create a common electoral roll for both national and state elections; it helps to improve efficiency and reduce difficulties in the voting process.
- Constitutional Amendments: This plan includes 18 amendments to India’s Constitution, incorporating changes in the terms of state assemblies and giving provisions to handle situations like premature dissolution.
- Phased Approach for Transition: In some state elections that happened at different times, a phased approach will be adopted to match theirs gradually.
- Cost Saving and Governance Continuity: Carrying out the elections together will help to reduce financial and resource burdens, allowing the government to fully focus on governance.
One Nation One Election opposed by the Congress and Regional Parties
Regional parties argue that holding national and state elections together will ignore the local issues, making it harder for the state government to address their specific needs.and they also fear that this will give more control to the central government and weaken the state government’s power. There are also concerns about the difficulties of organizing and managing the national and state governments at the same time, and the ruling BJP strongly supports the plan, mentioning its benefits for governance and efficiency.
Benefits of One Nation One Election Plan
It helps the government to save costs, improve governance, and increase voter convenience.
- Cost Saving: Carrying out the election together will help to reduce election expenses for the government and political parties.
- Improved governance frees up time and resources and helps the government to focus more on development rather than promotion.
- Voter Convenience: make easier the voting process for people by reducing the number of elections they need to participate in.
