Union Cabinet clears One Nation, One Election bill, likely to be tabled in Parliament next week

The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, aiming for concurrent elections nationwide. A high-level committee, chaired by former President Kovind, found that simultaneous elections would enhance policy consistency and voter participation. The bill, based on extensive research and stakeholder consultations, is expected in Parliament next week.

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, which aims to hold simultaneous elections across the country. Sources told TOI that the bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament next week. In September this year, the Cabinet had approved the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, proposing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, assembly, urban bodies and panchayats, all to be conducted within a 100-day timeframe.

A high-level committee to look into the initiative delivered its findings in March. The panel was chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind . The committee's assessment pointed out that prolonged elections lead to administrative uncertainty and affect governmental decision-making.

Their analysis indicated that concurrent elections would lead to more consistent policies, reduce electoral weariness, and encourage greater participation in voting. The extensive document, containing 18,626 pages, represents the outcome of broad discussions with stakeholders and specialists, alongside research spanning 191 days since the committee's formation on September 2, 2023. After the Cabinet's approval in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his support for the initiative.

"The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I compliment our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders. This is an important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative," PM Modi had posted on X.

Th development comes a day after, Kovind said the Centre "will have to build consensus" for the implementation of ONOE. While voicing support for holding simultaneous elections to the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha in the country, Kovind asserted that this issue is "not in the interest of any party but the nation". He said that ONOE will be a game changer for the country as not only he but economists believe that after its implementation, "the country's GDP will rise by 1 to 1.

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