In Big Step Towards Simultaneous Polls, Cabinet Colors 1 Nation, 1 Election

Fifteen parties, including the Congress, have now opposed the 'ne Rashtra, ne election' push, with Mallikarjun Kharge saying "people will not accept it".

In Big Step Towards Simultaneous Polls, Cabinet Colors 1 Nation, 1 Election

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved the government's 'One Nation, One Election' push - which proposes to hold Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, urban bodies and panchayats simultaneously in the next 100 days - accepting a report led by a panel. By former President Ram Nath Kovind.
"There is a consensus opinion that simultaneous elections (starting from 2029, sources earlier told NDTV) should be held," the panel, which included Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, as its members, said. The panel also outlined provisions for 'unity government' in case of an uncertain outcome or no-confidence motion; He was tasked with recommending such solutions.

The 'one nation, one election' proposal was part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto for the 2019 and 2024 general elections, but drew heavy criticism from the opposition, which pointed to red flag changes to the constitution and practical challenges.

Undisclosed government sources told NDTV last month that the proposal would definitely be implemented in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term.

However, making this a reality would require two-thirds of Parliament to side with the BJP, as the proposed system involves amending the constitution at least six times.

The BJP-led central government has a simple majority in both houses, but it falls short of the two-thirds mark — 52 in the Rajya Sabha and 72 in the Lok Sabha. It would then have to be ratified by all states and union territories.

What the 'One Nation, One Election' Panel Said
Holding polls simultaneously will "transform the electoral process (and) governance" and "optimize scarce resources", said the high-profile panel, which has the support of 32 parties and prominent judicial figures, including former chief justices of the Supreme Court and judges of high courts. . measure

Among the benefits listed for 'One Nation, One Election' is that it simplifies the electoral process for voters. Synchronization of elections would also result in higher and faster economic growth, and thus a more stable economy, the panel argued, as a single round of elections would allow businesses and corporate firms to make decisions without fear of adverse policy changes.

The panel also reasoned that (eventually) holding elections at all three levels - for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and panchayats - would "avoid disruptions in the supply chain and production cycle as migrant workers take leave of absence to cast their votes".

The government argued that the 'one nation, one election' push would also "prevent policy paralysis", and remove the "atmosphere of uncertainty" caused by frequent elections.

What did the government say?
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has said that the 'One Nation, One Election' system will be implemented in two phases, with a list to identify eligible voters for all elections.

"We will start an all-India debate (on implementation)," he told reporters, adding that 80 percent of respondents during initial talks supported the 'one nation, one election' push.

There is "broad support" for this system, he said.

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