Union Cabinet Greenlights ‘One Nation, One Election’ Report

In a significant move, the Union Cabinet approved the report from the high-level committee on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative on Wednesday. Chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the committee had submitted its findings in March, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The Cabinet’s swift approval follows the report’s presentation, which was part of the law ministry’s ambitious 100-day agenda. The committee has recommended implementing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the initial step, followed by synchronized local body polls within 100 days.

The committee emphasized that conducting simultaneous elections would conserve resources, promote development and social cohesion, and strengthen the foundations of India’s democratic framework. They also proposed the establishment of an ‘Implementation Group’ to oversee the execution of these recommendations.

Additionally, the panel suggested that the Election Commission of India (ECI) collaborate with state election authorities to create a unified electoral roll and standardized voter ID cards. Currently, the ECI manages Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, while state election commissions are responsible for local body polls.

This initiative is poised to reshape India’s electoral landscape, aligning various election cycles to enhance governance and voter participation.