How much agreement and how much opposition is there on ‘One Nation, One Election’? Know the whole thing

New Delhi: Modi 3.0 The government has once again taken a step towards a big decision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi During his/her Independence Day address this year, PM Modi had raised the issue of ‘One Nation One Election’ from the ramparts of the Red Fort. This is an issue that was being discussed for a long time, however, now after about a decade, the Modi cabinet has approved it. Former Chief Election Commissioner of India and author of ‘India’s Experiment with Democracy – The Life of a Nation Through Its Elections’ SY Qureshi has given his/her opinion on this move of the Modi government. he/she has called this proposal a tampering with the Constitution and democracy. he/she believes that if the government was really serious about this proposal, then all the elections in the last 10 years would have been held together.

Know every important thing about One Nation-One Election

In a report published in the Indian Express, SY Qureshi has openly expressed his/her views in this regard. he/she said that in 2013, even before becoming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had reiterated the demand for one country, one election for several reasons. Since then, several committees have considered the subject but no acceptable solution could be found. Another attempt at ‘One Nation One Election’ was made by a high-level committee headed by former President of India Ramnath Kovind. This committee was tasked with suggesting concrete ways to implement the proposal, rather than debating the pros and cons of it. The committee, after being notified on September 2, 2023, worked on the subject for 191 days and submitted its 18,626-page report on March 14, 2024.

What is in the report of the committee headed by former President Kovind

The committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind comprised eminent personalities from various fields. The committee invited suggestions from political parties and legal experts, including former Chief Justices, former Chief Election Commissioners and State Election Commissioners. Suggestions were also invited from the public. Bar Council of India, Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry etc. were all given the opportunity to present their views.

80% supported ‘simultaneous elections’

According to the report, 21,558 responses were received, of which 80 per cent were in favour of simultaneous elections. Responses were also received from 47 political parties, of which 32 supported the system. 15 opposed it, calling it undemocratic and anti-federal. The opposing political parties expressed apprehension that this would lead to marginalisation of regional parties. The dominance of national parties would increase and the Presidential rule system would be implemented.

What did the experts say based on the report

Based on the research on these reports, the final analysis was done. Those who supported simultaneous elections were of the opinion that separate elections would waste resources. However, most experts were of the opinion that doing so would require amendments to the Constitution and related laws. They stressed that such amendments would not be undemocratic or anti-federal. They would not be contrary to the basic structure of the Constitution and would not result in a presidential system of rule.

After carefully considering all the suggestions and approaches, the Committee recommends a two-phase approach to conduct simultaneous elections. As a first phase, simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be held. In the second phase, elections to municipalities and panchayats will be coordinated with the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in such a way that these too are held within a span of 100 days.

Ramnath Kovind report on One Nation One Election approved, know what will happen now

Proposing amendments to the constitution and laws

The best part of the report is that it is detailed. It is in several parts with 21 volumes. It honestly presents all the opinions of the past and present, which makes it an extremely useful document. The committee was unanimously of the opinion that simultaneous elections should be held in the country. It proposed necessary amendments in the Constitution and related laws. It suggested adding a new article, namely 82A, in the Constitution which states, ‘Notwithstanding anything contained in articles 83 and 172, all Legislative Assemblies constituted at any general election held after the due date shall cease to exist on the expiration of the full term of the House of the People.’

The report also said that where a state assembly is dissolved due to a no-confidence motion, a hung house, or any other event, fresh elections will be held for a new house whose term will end with that of the Lok Sabha. This does not prevent mid-term elections. Imagine candidates spending crores of rupees on elections for a period of one to two years. This is definitely not a simultaneous election.