What Is The ‘One Nation, One Election’ Plan?

If passed, the bill will mark a major shift in India’s electoral process, reducing disruptions in governance and saving significant time and resources. However, questions regarding implementation,

By
Rajkaran Bureau
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In a landmark move, the Central Government will introduce the much-anticipated ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill in Parliament on Tuesday. The Union Cabinet gave its nod to the proposed plan last week, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will present the draft bill in the Lok Sabha.

Wider Consultations and Legislative Process

The government appears determined to conduct wider consultations regarding the bill. Sources indicate that the draft will likely be referred to a parliamentary committee for further deliberations. Additionally, the government plans to engage State Assembly Speakers through this committee to build consensus.

What is the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Plan?

The proposal, spearheaded by a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, aims to synchronize elections across the country to curb the recurring disruptions caused by frequent polls. Here are the key highlights:

  1. Addressing Frequent Elections:
    • The Kovind committee emphasized that frequent elections adversely affect the economy, governance, and public life. It recommended returning to simultaneous elections as a solution.
  2. Phased Implementation:
    • In Phase 1, elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will be aligned.
    • In Phase 2, municipal and panchayat elections will be synchronized within 100 days of the general elections.
  3. Appointment of Dates:
    • After the general election, the President will declare the ‘appointed date’ for the Lok Sabha to convene, ensuring the synchronization of assembly terms.
  4. Shortened Terms for New Assemblies:
    • Newly formed state assemblies may have a shorter term to align their tenure with the next general election cycle.
  5. Implementation Group:
    • A dedicated implementation group will oversee and ensure the smooth execution of the synchronized election reforms.
  6. Constitutional Amendments:
    • A new Article 324A will be introduced to enable simultaneous elections for Panchayats and Municipalities.
    • Article 325 will also be amended to create a unified voter roll and standardized photo ID card across elections. This amendment, however, requires state ratification.
  7. Handling Hung Houses or No-Confidence Motions:
    • In the case of a hung house or no-confidence motion, fresh elections will be held. The newly elected body will serve only the remaining term of the previous house.
  8. Lok Sabha and State Terms:
    • If the Lok Sabha dissolves prematurely, newly elected representatives will serve until the next synchronized general election. State assemblies will remain aligned unless dissolved earlier.
  9. Election Preparedness:
    • The Election Commission has been advised to ensure the procurement of essential equipment like EVMs and VVPATs well in advance for efficient election management.

What’s Next?

With the bill now ready for parliamentary debate, all eyes are on the Union government’s ability to garner support across political lines. Given the constitutional amendments required, the success of ‘One Nation, One Election’ hinges on achieving broad consensus with states and opposition parties.

Impact and Significance

If passed, the bill will mark a major shift in India’s electoral process, reducing disruptions in governance and saving significant time and resources. However, questions regarding implementation, constitutional hurdles, and federal consensus remain critical to its feasibility.