Modi Govt Likely To Bring 'One Nation, One Election' Bill In This Parliament Session

The Indian government is gearing up to introduce the "One Country One Election" initiative, with plans to present a bill in the current parliamentary session. Sources indicate that the Cabinet has already approved the Ram Nath Kovind Committee's report on this matter. The government aims to build consensus around the bill and may refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions.

The JPC will engage with representatives from all political parties and other stakeholders. State assembly speakers and intellectuals across India might also be involved. Public opinion will be considered as well. Initially, the focus is on involving people, with methods to achieve this being discussed later, according to sources.

Challenges in Achieving Consensus

Implementing this plan requires amending at least six constitutional bills, demanding a two-thirds majority in parliament. While the NDA holds a simple majority in both houses, securing a two-thirds majority remains challenging. In Rajya Sabha, out of 245 seats, NDA has 112, while opposition parties hold 85. A minimum of 164 votes is needed for a two-thirds majority.

In Lok Sabha, NDA controls 292 out of 545 seats, but needs 364 for a two-thirds majority. However, this number could change since the majority depends on members present and voting during sessions.

Opposition's Concerns

The government argues that simultaneous elections save time, money, and effort compared to separate elections. They also highlight issues with the Model Code of Conduct, which halts development work before elections. However, opposition parties find the idea impractical due to logistical challenges faced by the poll commission during state elections.

The opposition also argues that simultaneous elections are undemocratic and unconstitutional. They believe it would complicate an already complex electoral process and undermine democratic principles.

Kovind Report Recommendations

The Kovind report suggests creating bipartisan support and fostering a nationwide narrative for "One Nation One Election." It recommends implementing this plan only after 2029 to ensure thorough preparation and consensus-building among all stakeholders involved.

Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to pursuing simultaneous elections as they believe it will streamline governance processes across India.