According to sources, the government is likely to table the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament with the aim to synchronize the elections across the country. The bill has anticipation of being referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (IPC) for further deliberation. The government is keen on creating awareness of the proposal that has been rejected by the Congress Trinamool Congress, and the AIMIM.
In September, the Union Cabinet cleared the plan that was suggested by a high-level committee working under President Kovind for this fundamental reform. The committee advised adopting a step-by-step process to align the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assembly polls with the local body elections, which are to be held within 100 days. This plan is a major move towards modifying India’s democracy to become a true global democracy.
Modi has also supported the proposal for holding simultaneous elections as he noted the merits of cutting the expenses of holding elections as was as streamlining the restrictions that multiple elections impose on policymaking. The reform, as has been argued by its proponents, would rationalize the electoral process and reduce the nuisance of electoral disputes that regularly drain the public kitty, besides averring that it would guarantee continuous government operation.
This committee was formed by the Union government on September 2, 2023, headed by Mr.Ramnath Kovind and met 47 political parties. Out of these, 32 comprising BJP, BJD, JDU and Shiv Sena came in support of the proposition. As a justification, it is believed to save funds, enhance social integration and increase the economic rates.
As the cabinet is promoting the bill as a breakthrough, it has been criticized as an expansion of a contentious measure concerning its practicality and threat to federalism.
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