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The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for 'One Nation The proposal of 'one election' has been approved. Sources said that the Modi cabinet approved this proposal in the meeting held on Wednesday (September 18). However, no official statement has come from the government in this regard yet. The committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind on One Nation, One Election has presented this report before the cabinet. After this, the cabinet has approved Ram Nath Kovind's report on 'One Nation One Election'.
The 'One Nation, One Election' bill is now likely to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, News18 reported citing sources. According to PTI, the report of the high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election' was presented before the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. Sources said the committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, had submitted the report in March before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. Presenting the report before the Cabinet is part of the Law Ministry's 100-day agenda.
The high-level committee had recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies followed by simultaneous local body elections within 100 days. The committee had also proposed setting up an 'implementation group' to monitor the implementation of the recommendations.
It was said that holding simultaneous elections would save resources, promote development and social unity, strengthen the foundations of democracy and realise India's aspirations.
What is the committee's recommendation?
The committee has also recommended the Election Commission of India to prepare a combined voter list and voter ID card in consultation with the state election officers. Currently, the Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. While local body elections for municipal corporations and panchayats are conducted by the State Election Commission.
The committee has recommended 18 constitutional amendments, most of which will not require ratification by state legislatures. However, it will require some Constitution Amendment Bills to be passed by Parliament. Some of the proposed changes relating to a single voter list and a single voter ID card will require ratification by at least half of the states.
Apart from this, the Law Commission can also submit its report on holding simultaneous elections soon. Sources said that the Law Commission can recommend holding simultaneous elections for all three levels of government – Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies like municipalities and panchayats from 2029 and can also make a provision for forming a united government in case there is no majority in the House.
Amit Shah had announced it a day earlier
A day earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (September 18) said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government will implement 'One Nation, One Election' in its current term itself.
Addressing reporters on the occasion of completion of 100 days of Prime Minister Modi's third term, Shah said, “We plan to implement the system of 'one nation, one election' during the tenure of this government.”
In his Independence Day speech last month, Prime Minister Modi had strongly advocated for 'one nation, one election'. Then PM Modi had said that frequent elections were hampering the country's progress. In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM Modi had said, “The country has to come forward for 'one nation, one election'.” 'One nation, one election' is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
A high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had recommended in March this year that as a first step, simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies should be held. The committee had also recommended holding local body elections within 100 days of Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
Besides, the Law Commission may recommend simultaneous elections for all three tiers of government – Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies like municipalities and panchayats – from 2029. It may also recommend a provision for a coalition government in case a no-confidence motion is passed in the House or in case of a hung House.
The Kovind Committee did not set any timeline for implementing simultaneous elections. It recommended 18 constitutional amendments, most of which would not require the approval of state legislatures. However, it would require some Constitution Amendment Bills to be passed by Parliament.