Source: NIE
Context: The Union Cabinet has approved two bills, including a constitutional amendment, to implement the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) policy.
About One Nation, One Election:
- What It Is:
A policy to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies to reduce the frequency of elections, streamline governance, and minimize electoral expenditure. - Articles Involved:
Proposed amendments to Articles 82A, 83(2), and 327, including the addition of Article 324A, to facilitate synchronized elections. - Ramnath Kovind Committee:
Formed in September 2023, the committee evaluated the feasibility of ONOE and submitted a detailed 18,626-page report after extensive stakeholder consultations. - Key Recommendations by the Kovind Panel on One Nation, One Election:
- Legal Mechanism: Develop a legally-tenable framework to implement synchronized elections.
- First Stage: Conduct simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies.
- Second Stage: Synchronize municipal and panchayat elections with Lok Sabha and state assembly polls within 100 days.
- Appointed Date: President to notify the date of the first Lok Sabha session post-general elections for synchronization.
- Transitory Measure: State assembly tenures post “appointed date” to end with the next Lok Sabha polls; synchronization ensured thereafter.
- Fresh Lok Sabha Elections: Held in case of a hung House or no-confidence motion, with tenure limited to the remaining term.
- Fresh State Assembly Elections: New assemblies to serve until the next Lok Sabha term ends.
- Single Electoral Roll: Unified voter roll and EPIC cards managed by the Election Commission and state commissions.
- Logistical Preparations: ECI to plan for sufficient equipment (EVMs, VVPATs), personnel deployment, and security measures.
- Infrastructure Readiness: Advance preparation by ECI to ensure smooth execution of simultaneous elections.
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