One Nation, One Election
The Indian government is set to introduce a “One Nation, One Election” bill in the current session of Parliament, sources report. The Cabinet has already approved the Ram Nath Kovind Committee’s report on the initiative, and now the government aims to build a consensus on the bill. The proposed plan would require at least six constitutional amendments, and the government needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass these changes.
For a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha, the government needs 164 votes. The NDA currently holds 112 seats in the Rajya Sabha, making this a challenging task. Similarly, in the Lok Sabha, the NDA holds 292 out of 545 seats, and a two-thirds majority would require 364 votes. However, this majority would be counted based on the members present and voting.
The government is pushing for simultaneous elections, arguing that the current election cycle is costly and time-consuming, and hampers development due to the Model Code of Conduct. The opposition, however, criticizes the idea, calling it impractical, undemocratic, and unconstitutional. They cite logistical challenges, particularly in handling multi-phase state elections, as a significant concern.
The government plans to engage with all political parties through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which will include state assembly speakers and intellectuals. Public opinion will also be considered. The Kovind Committee’s report suggests that implementing “One Nation, One Election” would only be possible after 2029.
Bangladesh : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrives in Dhaka
