What Changes Will Be Seen in India's Election System with 'One Nation, One Election'?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised 'One Nation One Election' in 2014. The Modi cabinet finally approved the 'One Nation One Election' proposal on Wednesday (September 18). A committee was formed under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to decide the process of One Nation One Election, it had 8 members. The Kovind Committee was constituted on 2 September 2023. The committee submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu on 14 March. It was approved by the Modi cabinet on Wednesday. The committee has suggested extending the term of all the assemblies till 2029. A bill can be introduced on this in the winter session of Parliament.

Let us know when One Nation One Election can be implemented. What will happen to the assemblies whose term has not been completed? How much will the election process in the country change after the implementation of the One Nation One Election?

What did the government say about the One Nation One Election?

After the cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave a media briefing on the report of the Kovind Committee. He said that there would be a common electoral role in the country. The committee has suggested holding elections in two phases. In the first phase, elections for Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies will be held. While in the second phase within 100 days, elections for local bodies (body elections) will be held.

These recommendations of the Kovind Committee will be implemented after the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. After the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the President will fix a fixed date, so that elections of the states and the Center will be held simultaneously.

At least 5 to 6 constitutional amendments will be required for this. The Union Minister said that the Modi Cabinet will hold a nationwide discussion to consider the suggestions of the Kovind Committee on One Nation One Election. Only after this, the next step will be taken.

What did the Kovind Committee suggest on the One Nation One Election?

The Kovind Committee suggested that the term of all state assemblies be extended till the next Lok Sabha elections i.e. 2029. In the first phase, Lok Sabha-Assembly elections can be held simultaneously. In the second phase, civic elections can be held within 100 days. In case of a hung assembly or no-confidence motion, fresh elections can be held for the remaining 5-year 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 officers. The Kovind panel has also recommended planning of devices, manpower and security forces for conducting simultaneous elections.

Who are on the Kovind Committee?

A committee was formed on 2 September 2023 under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to consider One Nation One Election. Kovind's committee has 8 members including Home Minister Amit Shah, former MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, renowned lawyer Harish Salve, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh, political scientist Subhash Kashyap, former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Sanjay Kothari. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has been made a special member of the committee.

How was the report prepared?

The committee contacted 62 political parties for this. Out of these, 32 parties supported the One Nation One Election. At the same time, 15 parties opposed it. While 15 parties did not give any answer. After 191 days of research, the committee submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu on March 14. The committee's report is of 18 thousand 626 pages.

Which reference did the Kovind Committee take from which countries?

The constitution of many countries was analyzed for One Nation One Election. The committee studied the election process of Sweden, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, Philippines and Indonesia.

Parliamentary and Legislative Assembly elections will be held in South Africa in May next year. Whereas Sweden adopts a Proportional Electoral System for the election process.

Talking about Germany and Japan, where the PM is selected first and then the rest of the elections are held. Similarly, in Indonesia too, the elections of the President and Vice President are held together.

Which parties are ready for the One Nation One Election?

BJP, Nitish Kumar's JDU, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Chirag Paswan's LJP have supported One Nation One Election. Along with this, Asom Gana Parishad, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction have also supported One Nation One Election.

Which parties opposed?

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. While 15 parties including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) did not give any answer on One Nation One Election.