The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, setting the stage for simultaneous Lok Sabha, state assembly, and local body elections.
The cabinet decision announced by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on September 18, 2024, follows the recommendations of a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The Minister added that there is widespread support for the proposal in the country.
The proposal, a long-standing agenda item for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was part of their election manifesto in 2019 and 2024.
The approval follows extensive debate and is expected to be tabled in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. If passed, the bill would see the first simultaneous elections in 2029, aligning the electoral cycles of the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept, initially floated in the 1980s, aims to reduce the frequency of elections, thereby saving administrative costs, enhancing governance efficiency, and potentially increasing voter turnout.
Ramnath Kovind-led panel suggested that this be implemented in phases, starting with Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, followed by local body polls within 100 days.
However, the proposal has stirred mixed reactions across the political spectrum. While the ruling NDA coalition, including allies like the JDU, has expressed full support, opposition parties, notably the Congress, have voiced concerns. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that such a system could undermine the democratic essence of India, arguing that elections should be held as required, not on a fixed schedule that might not reflect the political will or crises at the state level.
If enacted, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill would represent one of the most significant changes to India’s electoral system since its inception.