New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on ‘One Nation One Election’ for the first time in November 2020. Modi said, “One country, one election is not just a matter of discussion, but is the need of India. Every few months, elections are being held somewhere. This impacts the development work. Elections to the Assemblies and Lok Sabha of the entire country are being held at one time.” If we come together, it will reduce the expenditure on elections.” About 4 years after this speech of Modi, on 17 December 2024, during the winter session of Parliament, the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill for One Nation One Election was introduced in the Lok Sabha. However, after the opposition’s uproar and division voting, this bill has been sent to JPC. The question is, how important is ‘One Nation One Election’ to make India’s economy the third largest economy in the world and to achieve the goal of a developed India?
In an exclusive conversation with NDTV Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Puglia, Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, and NK Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, have told how One Nation One Election can prove to be a lifeline for the country’s economy: –
He told, “Modi government was elected in May 2024. After this, state elections are being held one after the other. Even if we take a window of one year, there are elections in Delhi and then elections are to be held in Bihar. In such a situation, reforms The government does not get enough time for this, so if elections are held simultaneously for the central and state governments, we will get huge returns.
The electorate sees the delivery of the government
Panagariya explains, “Of course there is awareness among the state governments also about One Nation One Election. Because the electorate changes the governments which are unable to work. There are many examples of this. The government changed in Rajasthan. The same happened in Andhra Pradesh. But wherever the government’s delivery is good, it is like Naveen Patnaik has been the CM in Gujarat for a long time. Governments have given good delivery, the electorate supports it.”
Political parties realize this
He said, “Political parties have also started realizing this. That’s why now most of the state governments have started showing their work. There is more awareness among them in rapidly progressing states. Therefore, in One Nation One Election, we will get the support of such states also. “
Electoral reform will have long term benefits
NK Singh, who was the chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, also talks about electoral reforms in the country. He told, “PM Modi has also taken the initiative of electoral reform. The bill has also been presented in the Parliament. This bill is – One Nation One Election. Currently it is in JPC. All the elections that are going on now, they got If changes are made in the election process, it will have a direct impact on election expenses, fiscal deficit and governance structure.
He said, “If we talk about judicial reform, the government had started an agenda on it. But there is a need to revive it.”
Now know about One Nation One Election…
At present in India, state assembly and country’s Lok Sabha elections are held at different times. One Nation One Election means that Lok Sabha and Assembly elections should be held simultaneously in the entire country.
When was the bill introduced?
On December 17, 2024, the government introduced the ‘Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024’ and its related ‘Union Territory Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024’ in the Lok Sabha. Division voting took place on this. This bill was passed with a simple majority. 269 ​​MPs voted in favor of it. 198 MPs voted against this bill. After the uproar by the opposition, this bill has currently been sent to JPC.
What arguments are being given against this bill?
The opposition is giving many types of arguments regarding One Nation One Election. Congress argues that if elections are held simultaneously, there is a possibility of the voters’ decision being affected. If elections are held once in 5 years, the accountability of the government towards the public will reduce.
Which committee was formed to consider One Nation One Election?
A committee was formed on September 2, 2023 under the chairmanship of former President Ramnath Kovind to consider One Nation One Election. Kovind’s committee includes Home Minister Amit Shah, former MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, renowned lawyer Harish Salve, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, former 15th Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, political scientist Subhash Kashyap, former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Sanjay Kothari. There are 8 members including. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has been made a special member of the committee. The committee had submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu on March 14. It was approved by the Modi cabinet on 18 September.
What suggestion did Kovind Committee give on One Nation One Election?
-Kovind Committee suggested that the tenure of all state assemblies be extended till the next Lok Sabha elections i.e. 2029.
-In the first phase, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections can be held simultaneously. In the second phase, civic elections can be held within 100 days.
-In case of hung assembly and no confidence motion, fresh elections can be held for the remaining 5 years of the term.
-The Election Commission can prepare a single voter list and voter ID card for Lok Sabha, Assembly and local body elections in consultation with the state election authorities.
-The Kovind panel has also recommended advance planning of devices, man power and security forces for holding simultaneous elections.
How was the report prepared?
The committee contacted 62 political parties for this. Of these, 32 parties supported One Nation One Election. At the same time, 15 parties had opposed it. Whereas there were 15 such parties which did not give any reply. After 191 days of research, the committee submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu on 14 March. The report of the committee is of 18 thousand 626 pages.
Which reference was taken from which countries?
-Constitutions of many countries were analyzed for One Nation One Election. The committee studied the election process of Sweden, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, Philippines, Indonesia.
-Elections for Lok Sabha and Assemblies will be held in South Africa in May next year. Whereas Sweden adopts Proportional Electoral System for the election process.
-If we talk about Germany and Japan, here the PM is selected first and then the rest of the elections take place.
-Similarly, in Indonesia also the elections of President and Vice President are held simultaneously.
Which parties are ready for One Nation One Election?
One Nation One Election has been supported by BJP, Nitish Kumar’s JDU, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Chirag Paswan’s LJP. Along with this, Assam Gana Parishad, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction have also supported One Nation One Election.
Which parties protested?
The biggest party opposing One Nation One Election is Congress. Apart from this, 15 parties including Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), CPM were against it. Whereas 15 parties including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) did not give any reply on One Nation One Election.
According to the Law Commission, the proposal of One Nation One Election will also affect Article 328 of the Constitution, for which approval of maximum states may have to be taken. According to Article 368(2) of the Constitution, such amendment requires the approval of minimum 50% of the states.
Is it possible to hold simultaneous elections in the country?
To pass One Nation One Election in Parliament, the consent of two-thirds of the states will be required. If there is a need to take consent from other states, then most non-BJP governments will oppose it. Many opposition parties have already indicated this. At the same time, even if it is possible to make a law only by getting it passed by the Parliament, many legal problems may arise. The states where the government has recently been elected will oppose this. He can also go to the Supreme Court regarding tenure. The differences between BJP and non-BJP state governments are so great that it does not seem possible to reach a consensus on One Nation One Election.
If One Nation One Election is implemented, the tenure of which assemblies may be reduced?
If One Nation One Election is implemented, the current tenure of Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand will be reduced by 3 to 5 months.
The tenure of Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura will also be reduced by 13 to 17 months. Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, P. Bengal and Puducherry’s current tenure will be reduced.
