Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation One Election’ Proposal Unanimously

New Delhi : The Union Cabinet has approved the report of the Kovind Committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’. The Kovind Committee’s proposal for holding simultaneous elections received widespread support, and the Cabinet unanimously endorsed the proposal. Union Minister Vaishnav stated that the recommendations of the Kovind Committee would be discussed across various platforms in India. An implementation group will be formed to advance the recommendations on simultaneous elections. A large number of parties have supported the idea of simultaneous elections, and efforts will be made to build a consensus in the coming months.

Presenting the report to the Cabinet is part of the Law Ministry’s 100-day agenda. The high-level committee recommended holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures, and also suggested holding local body elections together within the 100-day period. The committee proposed forming an ‘Implementation Group’ to oversee the execution of these recommendations. It stated that simultaneous elections would save resources, promote development and social cohesion, strengthen the “foundation of democracy,” and help achieve India’s aspirations.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge opposed the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, calling it impractical. He labeled the approval of simultaneous elections as an electoral maneuver before the elections, saying, “When elections come, they (BJP) make all these statements. The public of the country will not accept this.” His remarks followed the Cabinet’s approval of the simultaneous elections proposal.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted his continuous opposition to ‘One Nation, One Election’, describing it as a solution in search of a problem. He argued that it destroys federalism and compromises democracy, which is a part of the fundamental framework of the Constitution. He added that multiple elections do not pose a problem for anyone except Modi and Shah.