The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘one nation, one election’ initiative, according to sources, signalling a step towards synchronising Lok Sabha, state assembly and local body elections. A comprehensive bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week during the ongoing Winter Session.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to its Members of Parliament, instructing them to be present in the House on December 13 and 14 for discussions on key legislative matters.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been vocal in supporting the proposal, highlighting frequent elections as a major obstacle to the nation’s development. Speaking at the International Gita Festival in Kurukshetra, Chouhan said, “A glorious, prosperous, and powerful India is being built under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Soon, India will become the ‘Vishwa Guru’ (world leader) before our eyes. However, frequent elections remain a hurdle in India’s progress.”
Chouhan argued that election preparations occupy the country throughout the year, disrupting governance and progress. “When Lok Sabha elections conclude, assembly elections begin. Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand are done; now Delhi assembly polls are coming,” he observed.
The ‘one nation, one election’ plan gained momentum in September when the government accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee advocating simultaneous polls in a phased manner. On December 9, sources indicated that the Narendra Modi government was preparing to table the bill in Parliament during the current session.
The Cabinet has also approved the report submitted by a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which supports the implementation of simultaneous elections across the country. The committee, in its 18,626-page report, has suggested implementing the move in two stages. It has suggested simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step. The next step involves synchronising elections to local bodies and municipalities with polls to Lok Sabha and states.
The committee has recommended 18 constitutional amendments for One Nation One Election to become a reality.
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