Centre to implement ‘One Nation, One Election’ during NDA 3.0

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.

“It will happen in this term itself,” said Shah answering a question whether the proposal will become a reality anytime soon.

Top government sources had said Sunday that simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would be rolled out in this term of PM Modi.

The BJP dispensation's 'One nation, One election' idea got a boost when in March 2021 the parliamentary standing committee on law and justice backed it saying simultaneous elections would reduce the burden on the exchequer, expenditure of political parties and ensure that human resources were optimally utilised.

The panel said it would reduce voters’ apathy towards frequent elections and rather enthuse them, which will ultimately enhance participation in the electoral process.

The committee also backed common electoral rolls as necessary to make simultaneous elections a reality.

Then chaired 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 giving the government a reason to move forward with the agenda.

Conducting 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.

The government established a committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue submitted its 18,626 page report to President Droupadi Murmu in March this year.

As many as 47 political parties sent their suggestions to the committee with 32, mainly the BJP and allies, supporting the concept and 15 opposing it.

18,626-page report submitted to President

• A committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue submitted its 18,626 page report to President Droupadi Murmu in March this year.
• As many as 47 political parties sent their suggestions to the committee with 32, mainly BJP and allies, supporting the concept and 15 opposing it.
• Of the 32 supporters 26 are part of the ruling NDA coalition. Among 15 parties that resisted the idea, ten are from the opposition INDIA bloc led by Congress.