The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, has approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal.
Previously, the high-level committee report on this initiative was presented before the Cabinet.
The committee, chaired by former president Ram Nath Kovind, submitted the report in March, just before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
Presenting the report was a key part of the law ministry’s 100-day agenda. The committee recommended starting with simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, followed by synchronised local body elections within a 100-day timeframe.
Additionally, the committee proposed the creation of an ‘Implementation Group’ to oversee the execution of these recommendations.
According to the report, holding simultaneous elections could help save resources, promote development and social cohesion, strengthen democratic foundations, and align with the vision of “India, that is Bharat.”
Another key recommendation was the development of a common electoral roll and uniform voter ID cards by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in collaboration with state election authorities.
Currently, the ECI is responsible for conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, while local body elections for municipalities and panchayats are managed by state election commissions.
The committee also proposed 18 constitutional amendments, most of which would not require approval from state Assemblies. However, certain amendments would necessitate Constitution amendment Bills that must be passed by Parliament.
Some of the suggested changes, such as a unified electoral roll and voter ID system, would need ratification by at least half of the states. In addition, the Law Commission is expected to soon release its own report on the matter, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being a strong advocate for simultaneous polls.
Sources indicate that the Law Commission may recommend simultaneous elections for all three levels of government — the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies — starting in 2029, with provisions for a unified government in cases like a hung parliament.