Modi government is committed to ‘one nation one election’, will bring the bill in the current term itself, according to sources

New Delhi: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ reform in its current term, sources said on Sunday. The key policy change aims to hold simultaneous national and state elections across India.

Promise in the election manifesto

According to sources, all the political parties included in the NDA are expected to support this bill. This news has come just before the completion of 100 days of PM Modi’s third term. One Nation One Election has been one of the major promises of the BJP’s Lok Sabha election manifesto. In his speech from the Red Fort on August 15 this year, PM Modi also requested all political parties to come together on this issue.

32 political parties supported

Let us tell you that the high-level committee has submitted its detailed report of 18,626 pages on this issue to President Draupadi Murmu. This committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, had conducted extensive consultations with various personalities from the political and social fields to know their views. According to the report, more than 47 political parties shared their views, out of which 32 supported one nation in one election. Apart from this, a public notice published in newspapers received 21,558 responses from citizens, out of which 80% were in favor of the proposal.

Many organizations also gave suggestions.

Legal experts including four former Chief Justices of India, twelve former Chief Justices of major High Courts, and four former Chief Election Commissioners were invited to give their views. The discussions also took into account the views of the Election Commission of India. In addition, top business organizations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), as well as leading economists, were also consulted. These bodies emphasized that holding elections in multiple phases could lead to inflationary pressures, lower economic growth, and public expenditure, and hamper social harmony.

Proposal to hold elections in two steps 

After hearing all the opinions, the committee proposed to conduct simultaneous elections in two phases. In the first phase, elections to the Lok Sabha (Lok Sabha) and state assemblies will be held simultaneously. In the second phase, elections to municipalities and panchayats will be held within a time frame of 100 days.