Cabinet Clears ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposal: What It Means for Indian Democracy?
Mumbai: In a historic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet has cleared the proposal for implementing the “One Nation, One Election” (ONOP) plan, a significant step toward synchronizing the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. The initiative, which seeks to reduce electoral expenses and logistical hurdles, was announced following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The government emphasized that the proposal aims to strengthen democratic participation in the world’s largest democracy.
The decision comes as speculation rises about the bill being introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. However, sources from the government have indicated that while there is a push to build a broad consensus before presenting the bill, there is no immediate pressure to do so within the winter session itself.
Formation of a High-Level Panel
The development follows a report submitted by a high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to the Union Cabinet. This panel has extensively discussed the implementation of ONOP and recommended a phased rollout of the initiative.
To foster cooperation from opposition parties, the government has appointed Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Kiren Rijiju to hold discussions with various political leaders. A consensus-building approach will be vital in moving the bill forward.
Key Highlights of the ONOP Plan
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the two-phase strategy behind ONOP at a press briefing. In the first phase, the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections will be conducted simultaneously, while the second phase will focus on aligning local body elections, such as panchayat and municipal polls, within 100 days of the general elections. This synchronized electoral calendar would be supplemented by a common electoral roll for all elections, easing administrative burdens and reducing discrepancies.
The government also plans to set up an implementation group to oversee the transition. This aligns with the recommendations of the Kovind-led panel, which proposed such an approach to ensure smooth execution.
Mixed Reactions from Political Parties
The ONOP proposal has received mixed reactions from political parties. While 32 political parties expressed support for the initiative, 15 parties, including Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Trinamool Congress, the AIMIM, and the Samajwadi Party, have voiced opposition.
The concept of simultaneous elections is not new. It was first proposed in the 1980s and later revived by the Law Commission in its 170th report in 1999. Historically, India held simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, the dissolution of assemblies at different times disrupted this electoral cycle.
A Step Toward Democratic Reform
Prime Minister Modi hailed the Cabinet’s approval of the ONOP proposal as a critical step toward making Indian democracy more vibrant and participative. With the possibility of reduced election-related expenses and greater efficiency in the voting process, this reform could mark a new era in the country’s electoral system.
The success of the ONOP initiative will ultimately depend on building consensus among political stakeholders and addressing the logistical challenges of synchronizing elections across the world’s largest democracy.
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