Committee Formed to Explore "One Nation, One Election" Concept

• 04 Sep 2023

On 2^nd Sept, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs announced the formation of a committee to investigate the feasibility of implementing "One Nation, One Election" in India, wherein simultaneous elections would be held for the Lok Sabha (national parliament) and state assemblies.

Key Points:

• Committee Formation: The committee is headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind and comprises prominent figures from various political backgrounds.
• Multiple Committees Studying the Idea: This committee is the fourth of its kind to explore the potential of holding simultaneous elections in India.
• Previous committees that examined the concept included the Law Commission, NITI Aayog, and a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
• Background on "One Nation, One Election": The idea of simultaneous elections is not new in India and has been a recurring topic of discussion.
• While the practice of holding concurrent elections existed initially, disruptions occurred after the premature dissolution of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969.
• Challenges and Constitutional Amendments: Implementing simultaneous elections would require significant changes to the Indian constitution and electoral laws.
• Challenges include amending constitutional articles related to the duration of legislative bodies, securing consensus among political parties and state governments, and procuring additional voting equipment and personnel.