New Delhi, 10 December 2024: The Narendra Modi government is set to introduce the “one nation, one election” Bill in the current Winter Session of Parliament, according to sources who spoke to IANS. The proposal has already received approval from the Union Cabinet, following the Ram Nath Kovind Committee’s report, which advocates for holding simultaneous elections nationwide.
To ensure that the proposal garners broad support, the government is focusing on building a consensus across political lines. One strategy under consideration is to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which will allow for detailed deliberations.
This move aims to involve a wide range of political representatives, with each party sending its representatives to provide input. In addition, key stakeholders such as state Assembly speakers and intellectuals will be invited to share their perspectives. The government may also seek public feedback as part of this consultative process, broadening the scope of discussion on the proposal.
However, the push for “one nation, one election” faces significant challenges, particularly in the absence of a broad, decisive consensus.
The implementation of this system would require a series of constitutional amendments, including the passage of at least six Bills. The proposal also requires a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to pass, a level of support that is far from guaranteed.
While the ruling NDA coalition has a simple majority in both houses, securing the necessary two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution will prove difficult. The government’s strategy will likely need to account for these political complexities if the Bill is to succeed.
Proponents of the “one nation, one election” plan argue that holding simultaneous elections would bring significant benefits, such as saving time, money, and resources. Furthermore, they contend that it would alleviate the disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which often halts government projects and development work during election periods. “The MCC disrupts the normal functioning of the government, delaying essential development work,” a government official stated, underscoring the reform’s potential for streamlining governance.
In contrast, the Opposition has voiced strong opposition to the proposal, citing logistical concerns and the practical difficulties of managing multiple elections simultaneously. They have also criticized the idea as “undemocratic and unconstitutional,” arguing that it could undermine the electoral process in the country.
Meanwhile, the Kovind-led committee has stressed the need for bipartisan support to ensure the success of the “one nation, one election” proposal. The committee’s report also suggests that implementing the system should only occur after 2029, allowing time for the necessary political and legal processes.
The committee called for further consultations and public engagement to address the concerns surrounding the proposal, emphasizing that any decision must be based on broad, inclusive discussions. These recommendations underscore the complexity of the reform, indicating that while the idea is ambitious, its successful implementation will require careful planning and wide consensus-building.