The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, paving the way for simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This decision, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, follows months of deliberation and a report submitted by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
The approved plan aims to streamline India’s electoral process by synchronizing national and state elections, which are currently held at different intervals. The proposal is expected to reduce the financial and administrative burden of frequent elections, a move seen as crucial for the country’s progress. Proponents argue that it will allow the government to focus on governance rather than be in constant election mode.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal advocate for this initiative. In his Independence Day address, he highlighted how frequent elections have become a stumbling block for the nation’s development. “Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme or initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections,” Modi stated during his speech from the Red Fort.
The proposal’s approval marks a significant step towards altering the electoral landscape of India. However, it has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters believe it will lead to more efficient governance and cost savings, while critics argue it may undermine the federal structure of the country by centralizing electoral power.
As the government moves forward with this plan, the implementation and impact of simultaneous polls will be closely watched, especially as it is expected to be a major point of debate in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
