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In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began advocating strongly for the concept of “one nation one poll” shortly after coming to power. The idea gained further traction in 2017 when it received support from the NITI Aayog, the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his endorsement of simultaneous elections, emphasizing its importance in 2019.
Fast forward to March 14th, Thursday, and a significant step toward realizing this vision was taken as Former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, who heads the High-Level Committee (HLC) on ‘One Nation, One Election,’ presented the committee’s report to President Droupadi Murmu. Accompanying him were members of the HLC, including Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others.
The Significance of the One Nation One Poll Idea
India, with over 25 states, witnesses elections at different times as each state goes to polls after completing a stipulated period of five years. However, frequent dissolution of assemblies due to governments losing majority leads to staggered elections, disrupting the overall efficiency of the nation. This results in political leaders and ministers being preoccupied with election campaigns, while development projects often come to a halt due to election code of conduct. The concept of holding simultaneous elections for both parliamentary and state assemblies aims to address these issues, reducing costs and ensuring continuity in national progress.
Will All Elections Be Held on One Day?
While the idea is to synchronize Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, they will likely be staggered over a period of a month or more. This phased approach allows for the judicious utilization of resources by the Election Commission and security personnel. Voters will have the convenience of casting their votes for both parliamentary and assembly candidates simultaneously, streamlining the electoral process and minimizing disruptions.
As the nation embarks on this ambitious journey towards “one nation one poll,” careful deliberation and meticulous planning will be crucial in ensuring its successful implementation and realizing its potential benefits for India’s democratic fabric and governance efficiency.
