Amit Shah announces: One nation, one election in BJP’s current term
The idea first got a boost in 2021 when parliament panel on law and justice endorsed it
New Delhi, Updated At : 12:19 PM Sep 17, 2024 IST
'One Nation, One Election', Amit Shah confirms implementation in this term. PTI
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday confirmed government plans to implement the 'one nation, one election' strategy in this very term of the BJP-led NDA government.
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“It will happen in this term itself,” said Shah answering a question on whether one nation one election will become a reality anytime soon.
Top government sources had said on Sunday that the plan would be rolled out in this term.
The one nation one election idea got a boost when in March 2021 the parliamentary standing committee on law and justice backed it saying," Holding simultaneous elections will reduce the burden on exchequer, expenditure of political parties and ensure that human resources are utilised optimally. It will reduce voters’ apathy towards frequent elections and rather enthuse them, which will ultimately enhance participation in the electoral process."
The panel added that common electoral rolls were necessary to make simultaneous elections a reality.
Headed by BJP’s Bhupender Yadav, the panel argued that elections around the year — whether for local bodies, state Assemblies or the Lok Sabha — put a strain on the state machinery and created hurdles in governance.
“Our country remains in election mode throughout the year. We are of the view that the idea of ‘one nation, one election’ is not new to our country as the first three General Elections (1952, 1957 and 1962) were held simultaneously,” said the panel.
Holding simultaneous elections would entail amendment to the Constitution to have fixed terms for local bodies, legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha.
Amendments would also be required for common electoral rolls. “But common rolls will be good for the democratic health of our country as these will lessen the burden on exchequer. Wider consultation with all political parties should be held to reach a consensus,” the report said.
The government then set up a committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue. The Kovind panel submitted its 18626 page report to President Droupadi Murmu in March.
Congress-led INDIA bloc opposition resisted the plan in its depositions before the Kovind committee.
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