Former President Advocates for ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India

Former President Advocates for ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India

Former President Ram Nath Kovind is leading a high-level committee advocating for ‘one nation, one election’, a strategy that would result in simultaneous elections across India. Kovind suggests that this approach would benefit any party holding power at the Central level. Notably, he reported that all national parties have offered their support for the concept at various times and encouraged them to provide suggestions for its re-implementation.

‘One Nation, One Election’ Concept

The ‘one nation, one election’ concept is not a new idea for India. The country held simultaneous elections in the early years following independence. However, the practice was abandoned in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to the dissolution of numerous legislative bodies. In recent years, the idea has regained traction, with proponents arguing it could increase governmental efficiency and reduce election-related expenses.

Feasibility and Implications

Despite the apparent support for simultaneous elections, the Law Commission has intimated that implementing such a plan by 2024 would not be feasible. Instead, the commission is targeting a potential alignment of all state assembly elections with the Lok Sabha elections in 2029. The feasibility and implications of conducting synchronized elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies are currently under review by the high-level committee chaired by Kovind.

High-Level Committee and Future Steps

Comprising prominent political figures and experts, the committee has been invested in studying the feasibility and implications of this ambitious electoral reform. The future of ‘one nation, one election’ is yet to be determined, but the committee’s findings could ignite a significant shift in India’s electoral system.