One Nation, One Election Bill Likely To Be Tabled In Parliament Winter Session: Reports

The Centre is likely to table the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, according to media reports. The report submitted by the Ram Nath Kovind Committee on One Nation, One Election received the nod of the Union Cabinet in September. The NDA government now plans to achieve consensus on the bill and send it to a joint committee of Parliament for in-depth discussions, NDTV reported citing sources.

The 'One Nation, One Election' policy, promised by the BJP in its poll manifesto, aims to synchronise the Lok Sabha polls with state Assembly elections and local body polls in the country. Currently, a few states, including Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha, vote at the same time as the general elections. while others follow separate cycles. 

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The ruling party has claimed that this would considerably reduce the massive financial expenditure involved in holding elections frequently. But he 'One Nation, One Election' proposal has faced strong opposition and criticism from various political parties, who are concerned about its feasibility and fairness.

A high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, had submitted its report to the Union Cabinet in March this year. The committee comprised Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former MP Ghulam Nabi Azad. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kiren Rijiju were tasked with engaging in discussions with opposition parties.

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The government has previously stated that the One Nation, One Poll (ONOP) initiative would be implemented in two phases as recommended by the Kovind Committee. In the first phase, simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are planned. The second phase will involve conducting local body elections, including panchayat and municipal polls, within 100 days of the general elections. The plan includes the introduction of a common electoral roll and the establishment of an implementation group.

The 'One Nation, One Election' is not a new concept as India has previously held simultaneous elections between 1951 and 1967, where voters cast ballots for both central and state governments. The process was however discontinued in 1968-69 due to the reorganisation of states.