One nation, One election gets Union Cabinet nod; Bill likely to be tabled in winter session

The Union cabinet on Wednesday cleared 'One nation, One election' proposal

The Union Cabinet on September 18 cleared the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill is likely to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, News18 reported citing sources.

The development came after a report of the high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was placed before the Union Cabinet.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing a press conference, said that the Union Cabinet has accepted the recommendations by the high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election'. Cabinet approved the proposal unanimously, he said.

He further stated that the proposal will be implemented in two phases. "In the first phase, Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections will be held and in the second phase, local bodies elections (Gram Panchayat, Block, Zila Panchayat) and urban local bodies (municipality and municipal committees or municipal corporations)," the minister said.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this year, the high-level panel had submitted the report on the feasibility of simultaneous elections. Placing the report before the Cabinet was a part of the law ministry's 100-day agenda.

The Kovind-led report had recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.

The panel had also proposed setting up of an 'Implementation Group' to look into the execution of the recommendations made by the committee.

Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen "foundations of democratic rubric" and help realise the aspirations of "India, that is Bharat", the panel had said.

The panel also recommended the preparation of a common electoral roll and voter ID cards by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in consultation with state election authorities.

Currently, the EC is responsible for the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, while the local body polls for municipalities and panchayats are managed by state election commissions.

The panel recommended as many as 18 constitutional amendments, most of which will not need ratification by state Assemblies. However, these would require certain Constitution amendment Bills that would need to be passed by Parliament.

ALSO READ: What is One Nation, One Election

Some proposed changes regarding the single electoral roll and single voter ID card would need ratification by at least half of the states.

Separately, the Law Commission is also likely to come up soon with its own report on simultaneous polls, of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong votary.

Arguments in favour on 'One Nation, One Election':

Some of the positives that are being looked at in case of 'One Nation, One Election' are -- reduced cost in conducting elections, increase in voter turnout, easing of burden on administrative and security forces who are otherwise engaged multiple times in election duties. Besides, government can focus more on governance rather than being in an election mode multiple times.

Arguments against 'One Nation, One Election':

Some of the key hurdles are -- changes would be required in the Constitution and other legal frameworks, regional issues getting overshadowed by national issues if elections are held together. Getting all political parties to agree on this remains a major challenge.

Reactions over 'One Nation, One Election':

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that ‘One Nation, One Election’ was not practical and alleged that the BJP comes up with such things to divert attention from real issues when elections approach. “It is not practical. It will not work. When elections come, and they are not getting any issues to raise, then they divert attention from real issues,” he said.

Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja said his party does not support the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. Raja said India is a diverse country and elections are held in Parliament and the state legislative assemblies. The Constitution makes clear the tenure of Lok Sabha, state assembly, the powers of elected chief ministers and governments in the states, he said.

Union MSME minister and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM-S) Jitan Ram Manjhi praised the central government's proposal to introduce One Nation, One Election in the country. Speaking to ANI, he said "This is very much needed and it should have happened earlier but it is happening now, for this, I thank the Government of India."