Revolutionary ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill Set to Transform India This Parliamentary Session
New Delhi, Dec 9: The Narendra Modi government is progressing with its ambitious “One Nation, One Election” initiative, planning to introduce a bill in Parliament during the current session, sources informed IANS. The Cabinet has endorsed the report by the Ram Nath Kovind Committee advocating for nationwide simultaneous elections. To gather broad support, the government aims to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to facilitate detailed discussions, incorporating input from all political parties, state Assembly speakers, intellectuals, and potentially the public.
Implementing the “One Nation, One Election” system poses challenges, needing constitutional amendments, which require passing six bills. Achieving the necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament is crucial, though the ruling NDA coalition currently holds only a simple majority. The government argues that simultaneous elections would save time, money, and resources, and minimize disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct during frequent elections. The MCC often halts development work, a concern addressed by the proposal.
Opposition parties have criticized the plan as “undemocratic and unconstitutional,” citing logistical challenges in managing concurrent elections. They argue that the complexity and potential disruption to the democratic process must be thoroughly considered. The Kovind Committee stressed the importance of bipartisan support for the initiative’s success, recommending implementation only after 2029, and emphasized the necessity of broad consultations to ensure long-term viability.
The proposal marks a significant and complex attempt at electoral reform, aiming to streamline election processes in India. However, it faces significant hurdles in gaining the consensus required for constitutional amendments, making its path forward contingent on overcoming political, logistical, and public approval challenges.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/12/09/one-nation-one-election-bill-likely-in-parliament-this-session/
Category : NATIONAL,News Alert
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Publish Date: 2024-12-09 20:53:00
