Modi Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation, One Election’ Plan for Simultaneous Polls

On Wednesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Union Cabinet has approved simultaneous elections in India, aligning both the Lok Sabha and state Assembly polls। The proposal, which is unanimously approved, is the result of months of discussions under the guidance of a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind। earlier in the day, the Cabinet received this report, which laid out the framework for applying the “One Nation, One Election” strategy।

Plan aims to hold concurrent Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections first, and then synchronised local body elections within 100 days। The main goal is to simplify India’s electoral process, which currently takes years to run, adding a big financial and administrative burden। Proponents of this measure, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, believe that it will slow down disruptions caused by frequent elections and accelerate the country’s progress।

Modi, during this year’s Independence Day speech, stressed the need to put an end to the frequent elections, saying that they hinder the country’s progress and advancement। He strongly endorsed the initiative by saying, “Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation.”

The BJP has endorsed the proposal, which, in its 2024 general election manifesto, highlighted “One Nation, One Election।” Nonetheless, opposition parties have opposed it। “One Nation One Election cannot work in a democracy,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, expressing his party’s disagreement with the plan, saying it violates democratic norms।”

In order to facilitate the changes, the panel has proposed eighteen constitutional amendments, most of which will not require state assemblies’ approval। However, approval from at least half of the states will be required for some proposals, such as the establishment of a single electoral roll and voter ID card। The ongoing discussion about this significant electoral reform will be further influenced by the forthcoming report of the Law Commission of India on the subject।