Union Cabinet approves 'One Nation, One Election' bill; key things to know

The Union Cabinet on Thursday (December 12) approved the 'One Nation, One Election" bill. In September this year, the Union cabinet approved the initiative of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill. The committee was headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

The Modi government had formed a committee under the chairmanship of Ramnath Kovind. The committee submitted its report to the President on March 14, 2024.

Here are key things to know:

- The provision to hold Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously.

- The objective of one country, one election is to accelerate development works.

- The objective of saving resources and making the election process easier.

- The government must develop a legally-tenable mechanism to restore the cycle of simultaneous elections.

- In the first stage, elections for the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies can be held together.

- When fresh elections are held for state legislative assemblies, then such new assemblies -- unless sooner dissolved -- shall continue up to the end of the full term of the Lok Sabha.

- Where fresh elections are held for the House of the People (Lok Sabha), the tenure of the House will be "only for the unexpired (remaining) term of the immediately preceding full term of the House".

- Fresh elections could be held to constitute a new Lok Sabha in the event of a hung House or a no-confidence motion or any such event.

Benefits of 'One Nation, One Election' Bill

- The Lok Sabha and Assembly elections can be held simultaneously.

- It will save election expenses, time, resources, and money.

- Development work gets hampered due to separate elections.

What did former President Ram Nath Kovind committee suggest?

 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections should be held together in the first phase.

- Civic elections should be held in the second phase within 100 days.

- In case of no-confidence motion, new elections should be held for the remaining term.

- A single voter list and voter ID card should be prepared.

What does the Modi government say?

- Development work comes to a halt due to the election code of conduct.

- This problem can be solved by simultaneous elections.

- Excessive expenditure, and use of human resources due to repeated elections.

- One Nation One Election will reduce expenditure and maintain stability.

Meanwhile, the opposition party is also making some arguments, take a look:

- Will have a negative impact on the federal structure of India

- Frequent elections strengthen the democratic process

- In this system, the voice of the public can be suppressed for 5 years