NDA government to implement ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India during current term
- In Reports
- 11:32 AM, Sep 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) will become a ‘reality’ during the current tenure of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, PTI reported on Sunday citing sources.
Sources indicated that with the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing its third term's first 100 days in office, the cohesion within the ruling alliance is expected to persist for the remainder of the tenure.
During his campaign, the Prime Minister had frequently asserted that his third term would involve making some ‘major decisions.’
“Definitely, it (simultaneous polls) will be implemented in this tenure itself. The government is confident that the reform measure would receive support across party lines and that the cohesion within the ruling alliance would continue throughout the term,” the sources said.
The BJP held a single-party majority during the NDA's first two terms (2014-2024). This time, however, the party won 240 seats, falling short of a majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Despite this, it formed the government with the support of its NDA allies.
Meanwhile, the BJP's push for 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) was spearheaded by the Prime Minister himself, with simultaneous elections promised in the party’s manifesto for the general elections.
On August 15, in his 11th consecutive Independence Day speech, PM Modi urged political parties to ‘help realise the ONOE goal.’ He also called frequent polls a ‘hurdle to India’s progress.'
In March, a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted its report on ONOE to his successor, President Droupadi Murmu. The committee 'strongly endorsed' the idea of conducting Lok Sabha and assembly polls simultaneously.
The core concept of 'One Nation, One Election' is to align the timing of Lok Sabha and state assembly elections across all states and Union Territories (UTs) to reduce the frequency of elections in India.
From 1951-52 to 1967, elections to both the House of the People and state legislative assemblies were largely held simultaneously. However, this cycle was disrupted afterwards, leading to elections being held almost every year and sometimes even multiple times within a single year. This frequent electoral process results in substantial government expenditure and the diversion of security forces, among other challenges.
Image source: Wion
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