(Image source from: Moneycontrol.com)
The government has approved the 'one nation, one election' proposal, which suggests simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with local body polls held within 100 days. The panel, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, believes this will improve the electoral process, governance, and optimize resources. They argue it will lead to higher economic growth and a more stable economy. However, several opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Shiv Sena (UBT), have opposed the measure, claiming it is an attempt to replace the parliamentary system with a presidential one.
#Cabinet accepts the recommendations of the High Level Committee pertaining to 'One Nation One Election'
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 18, 2024
The implementation will take place in two phases, as recommended by the committee. In the First phase, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held, simultaneously
In the… pic.twitter.com/uvLa99C3hS
The panel analyzed best practices from other countries and consulted experts before reaching its conclusion. However, it also recommended a legally sound mechanism to modify existing electoral cycles. The TMC MP criticized the central government's acceptance of the proposal, calling it an undemocratic stunt by the BJP. Meanwhile, the BJP, including Prime Minister Modi, had been advocating for the idea of 'one nation, one election', and even included it in their election manifesto.
