In a significant step towards electoral reform, the committee on “One Nation One Election,” chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, presented its detailed report to President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. Aimed at addressing the economic and societal disruptions caused by frequent elections in India, the committee’s recommendations propose a framework for synchronizing elections across the country.
The exhaustive report, spanning 18,626 pages, encapsulates insights from stakeholder consultations, expert opinions, and extensive research conducted over 191 days since its inception on September 2, 2023. The submission ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan saw the participation of all committee members, including notable figures such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and DPAP chief Gulam Nabi Azad.
In the lead-up to the report’s submission, the committee engaged with a diverse array of political parties, including the BJP, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and others, who provided written suggestions. Furthermore, the committee sought public input, inviting citizens to share their views on enabling simultaneous elections throughout India.
The establishment of the committee in September 2023 by the central government marked a critical move toward the ambitious goal of “One Nation, One Election.” This initiative aims to mitigate the extensive time and resources dedicated to conducting separate elections for state assemblies, panchayats, and local bodies, which currently span 200-300 days annually in some states.
Achieving this monumental shift will necessitate comprehensive changes across the legal and administrative landscape, including standardization of electoral rolls and amendments to existing laws and the Constitution. The report outlines a strategic roadmap for transitioning to the unified election model, carefully considering the logistical challenges of aligning the electoral cycles of state assemblies with Lok Sabha elections.
As India contemplates this transformative approach, the government’s next steps involve a thorough analysis of the committee’s findings, followed by the legislative enactments required to bring this vision to fruition. The journey towards “One Nation, One Election” promises to be a complex yet potentially rewarding endeavor for the nation’s democratic process.
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