Union Cabinet approves 'One Nation, One Election' Bill to streamline electoral process

Bhubaneswar, Dec 12: The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, which aims to enhance the electoral process in India. This legislation is expected to be presented during the current Winter Session of Parliament.

The government asserts that this initiative will streamline elections, improve efficiency, and alleviate the financial and administrative challenges of holding multiple elections at different intervals. The core idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is to synchronize the electoral cycles for the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies, enabling voters to participate in both elections simultaneously.

By adopting this approach, the government hopes to mitigate issues associated with staggered elections, such as prolonged campaigning periods, disruptions in governance, and increased costs.

In September, the Union Cabinet had already endorsed the proposal for the bill. However, Congress leader Tariq Anwar expressed concerns, stating that implementing ‘One Nation, One Election’ is controversial and unfeasible within India’s federal framework. He emphasized the need for a consensus among all stakeholders before making such significant changes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously praised the proposal, noting that the Cabinet had accepted the recommendations of a High-Level Committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which suggested conducting concurrent elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, followed by local body polls. Critics, however, caution that synchronized elections could present logistical and constitutional difficulties.