The Union Cabinet has recently greenlighted the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, which is expected to be introduced during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, according to sources. The bill, which aims to enable simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, will first be scrutinized by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
This legislative initiative follows the approval of a high-powered committee’s proposal by the Union Cabinet in September. The committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, recommended that India adopt a structured format for conducting simultaneous elections across various levels of governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the move, emphasizing the benefits of concurrent elections. In a post on X, he expressed his appreciation for the former President’s leadership in the proposal’s formulation and his efforts in engaging diverse stakeholders. “I complement our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji, for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders. This is an important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative,” remarked PM Modi.
The implementation strategy proposed involves holding Lok Sabha and state assembly elections concurrently in the initial phase, with elections for local bodies to follow within 100 days. This approach is seen as a significant shift aimed at enhancing the efficacy of governance and reducing the recurrent logistical and financial burdens associated with separate elections.
