New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal for simultaneous elections across the country as recommended by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Speaking at a presser, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said simultaneous polls would be held in two phases. Concurrent elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in the first phase, followed by synchronised local body polls within a 100-day period.
This came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that ‘one nation, one election’ will be a reality in the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Bill is likely to be tabled in the House during the Winter Session of Parliament. Nitish Kumar’s JDU and Chirag Paswan’s LJP have supported the proposal, reports said.
The Kovind committee had submitted its report to the government in March, shortly before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024. The proposal aims to streamline the electoral process by reducing the frequency of elections, avert policy paralysis and foster a conducive environment for progress. It is also seen as a cost-saving measure, with the potential to significantly reduce the financial and administrative burden of frequent elections. Holding simultaneous elections could also lessen the role of money in politics by reducing the frequency of election campaigns and associated expenses, the panel had opined.
It had recommended that a “one-time transitory measure”, which would require the Union government to identify an “appointed date” immediately after a Lok Sabha election. All state assemblies that go to poll after the said date would have their terms expire with Parliament, synchronising electoral cycles of the central and state governments.
The ‘one nation, one election’ proposal was also part of the ruling BJP’s manifesto for the 2019 and 2024 general elections. However, it was opposed 15 parties, including the Congress, stating that it is “not pragmatic and practical”. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge also called it “an attempt to divert the attention of the public”.