One Nation, One Election,” Get A Green Signal From The Union Cabinet.

Union Cabinet Approves 'One Nation, One Election' Proposal

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: December 13, 2024

Summary: The "One Nation, One Election Bill," which calls for simultaneous elections, is approved by the Union Cabinet.

According to sources, "one nation, one election" was authorized by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. The government is expected to introduce a complete measure on the subject within the next week, during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

A new clause, Article 82 A(1), which specifies that the President will publish the "appointed date" on the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election, was recommended in the report of the high-level group led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sent out a three-line directive to all of its Members of Parliament, requesting that they attend the House on December 13 and 14 to discuss some crucial legislative matters.

The "One Nation, One Election Bill" sparks debate. Opponents argue it compromises federalism and regional representation, while supporters believe it increases efficiency. The consequences are uncertain as Parliament gets ready to debate the bill.

For a while now, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been working on laws that could enable national elections. Indeed, there have been reports of the Union cabinet's approval of the laws.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid out a convincing argument for "one nation, one election" on Wednesday, arguing that the country's prosperity is being hampered by the frequent polls.

To address the problem of what happens if a government loses its majority, the plan for simultaneous elections, which was interrupted between 1967 and 1971 due to uncertain non-Congress governments stalling after 1967 and Indira Gandhi emerging in the Lok Sabha elections from 1971 to 1972, needs a roadmap.

The committee has suggested holding new elections if the Lok Sabha or a state assembly is dissolved before its five-year term due to a loss of majority on the House floor if "One Nation, One Election" is implemented. The new government will only serve for the remaining portion of the Lok Sabha's whole tenure; this will be known as the "unexpired term." These will be "midterm elections."

If everything goes according to the plan, the President will publish a notification on the day of the next Lok Sabha's first sitting if the Modi government chooses to begin the process in 2034. Other details will be the same as previously mentioned, with reduced assemblies between 2029 and 2034.