, or simultaneous elections, is to have elections only once every five years.){kind=link}
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the national flag on 78th Independence Day, at the iconic Red Fort, New Delhi. This was also PM’s 11th speech in a row on the occasion of Independence Day speech.
During his 98-minute speech, PM Modi addressed several key topics. The idea of a “Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat” (a developed and independent nation), the push for “one nation, one election” and the importance of women’s safety were among them.
In his speech from the Red Fort, PM Modi made a fresh pitch on his call for the “one nation, one election.” He also pleaded with all political parties to work together to make this vision a reality. He argued, “Frequent elections are creating obstacles in the nations’ progress. It has now become easy to connect any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections every three to six months. Every task is linked to elections.”
What is ‘One Nation, One Election?’
The idea of ‘one nation, one election’ (ONOE), or simultaneous elections, is to have elections only once every five years, rather holding multiple elections throughout the year, across the country. This could be done in one phase, more practically, in multiple phases.
For instance, if the government decides to adopt ONOE and overcome all legal challenges; voters in Punjab may vote for both the central and state government at the same time.
Why Government wants ONOE?
Before the Ram Nath Kovind-led panel was established, in 2023, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal explained pursuing ONOE.
He highlighted that such elections might save money for the public and political parties. It could reduce the frequent deployment of poll workers and security personnel. Meghwal also noted that frequent, staggered elections tend to maintain the Code of Conduct in effect, which can hinder the implementation of welfare schemes.
Moreover, he proposed that simultaneous elections may increase turnout, which currently varies widely between states and general elections.
Challenges to ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposal
Even with the attempts to synchronize election cycles with the least possible interference from governance, challenges still arise. It includes dealing with House dissolutions, President’s Rule, or hung Assemblies and Parliaments.
Regional parties have expressed their disagreements as they might find it difficult to effectively highlight local issues. Furthermore, the recurring cost of purchasing electronic voting machines (EVMs), is a major worry, with the pole panel estimating an expense of nearly ₹10,000 crore every 15 years.
Who are opposing and what public says?
Several opposition parties, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), have expressed their disapproval of the “One Nation, One Election” plan. The AAP alleged that the BJP is using the proposal to shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system of government.
Leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), Sanjay Raut, disapproved saying “The country is already united. Not ‘one nation, one election, but fair elections are what we’re calling for.”
Despite the opposition, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ panel was presented with almost 21,000 public proposals, with over 81 percent in favor, according to the news agency PTI.
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