One Nation One Election

Lok Sabha extends deadline for 'One Nation, One Election' panel report

PP Chaudhary, One Nation One Election Panel chairman, moved a motion seeking more time for the JPC to present reports on the 129th Constitution Amendment and UT Laws Amendment Bills

ONOE may boost India's GDP by 1.5 percentage points, experts to Parl panel

Former finance commission of India chairman N K Singh and another expert on Wednesday made an economic case for simultaneous elections before a parliamentary committee, saying it can lead to a 1.5 percentage point rise in the real GDP growth, higher capital expenditure and more investment activity, sources said. In their joint presentation before the joint parliamentary committee, which is scrutinising the constitutional amendment bill for 'one nation one election' (ONOE), they quantified the rise in the GDP at Rs 4.5 lakh crore in terms of 2023-24 figures. However, they added that the fiscal deficit is also expected to rise by 1.3 percentage point due to higher post-election spending. Singh, a former MP and revenue secretary, and Prachi Mishra, economics professor, and head and director of Isaac Centre for Public Policy at Ashoka University, studied election cycles in India as it had simultaneous polls till 1967 before the schedules of Lok Sabha and assembly polls were split. The

Need Constitutional amendment to hold simultaneous polls: Shivraj Chouhan

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for a one-time Constitutional amendment to enable simultaneous elections, citing rising costs and governance issues, as well as national interest

ICAI to assess financial aspects of 'One Nation One Election' proposal

Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI will assess the financial aspects of the proposed 'One Nation One Election' reform that will help the Parliamentary panel, which is currently examining the relevant bills, to have a better understanding about the financial implications. A high level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind came out with its report, in March 2024, recommending holding the Lok Sabha, Assembly and local bodies' polls together. Subsequently, the government, in December last year, introduced two bills in the Lok Sabha to provide a legal framework to simultaneously hold Parliamentary and Assembly polls. A 39-member Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by BJP member P P Chaudhary, is now examining the draft bills, which are based on the Kovind panel recommendations. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) President Charanjot Singh Nanda told PTI that the institute will be assessing the various financial aspects of ONOE reform. A report of

Anurag Thakur backs 'one nation, one election', calls it win-win situation

BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said the implementation of the 'one nation, one election' formula would be a win-win situation for the country as it would not just cut the expenses incurred in conducting various polls but also save a lot of time. "Elections were held in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir within a few months of the Lok Sabha polls (last year). Then elections were held in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi. So, there are at least five assembly elections in a year. "If all the polls are held simultaneously, it will reduce the expenditure, save time and increase the voting percentage as well," Thakur told reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of a party event on 'one nation, one election' (ONOE). The former Union minister said conducting simultaneous polls would reduce the expenditure of the candidates, political parties, and help the country save money. "Around Rs 1.5 lakh crore was spent in the (2024) Lok Sabha elections -- by political parties, candidates, other instituti

Bansuri Swaraj brings 'National Herald's loot' bag to JPC meet on polls

Keeping the heat on the Congress over the National Herald issue, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj on Tuesday carried a bag with a message about the "loot" in the case as she arrived in Parliament annexe for the committee meeting over the bills proposing simultaneous polls. Her black bag had "National Herald Ki Loot" emblazoned over it in red colour. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are accused in the case, with the Enforcement Directorate charging them with money laundering. The Congress has dismissed the allegation as vendetta by the ruling BJP against its top leaders. Former Supreme Court judge Hemant Gupta, former Law Commission of India chairman B S Chauhan and noted lawyer and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi are among the personalities who will give their views to the Joint Committee of Parliament on simultaneous polls. BJP MP P P Chaudhary is heading the committee.

Simultaneous polls can become reality by 2034, says UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday claimed simultaneous polls could become a reality by 2034 and added those guided by the "nation first" mantra would back the move, even as he appealed for a "mass awareness" drive. A 39-member parliamentary panel is scrutinising two bills on simultaneous elections, including one for amending the Constitution. "There should be a mass awareness campaign on one nation, one election. If you run into critics, tell them this is our country, one nation, one election-induced political stability would be for our benefit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working hard to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat and ask why they are so worked up over it," Adityanath said at a function in Lucknow. "If you give this reply and lead a mass awareness drive, simultaneous elections will become a reality by 2034," he added. Adityanath also called for a simultaneous push to the one nation, one election campaign on social media. "Talk about all aspects

BJP using poll reforms to exclude 'certain' people from voting: Sena (UBT)

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday targeted the Centre over its push for simultaneous polls, claiming polling will be eventually conducted by excluding people from "other" religions from the voters list under the guise of electoral reforms. An editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana claimed the BJP wants only one party to survive in the country and that the "one party one election" is its ultimate goal. Referring to Donald Trump, the editorial stated that while the US President wants to stop Latinos, black Americans, and immigrants from voting, similarly, in India polling will be conducted by excluding people from "other" religions from the voters' list and this will be labelled as election reform. It also pointed to the executive action signed by Trump on Tuesday to overhaul elections. The order makes the documentary proof of citizenship necessary for registration to vote in federal elections and demands that all ballots be received by Election Day. "India is the world's lar

JPC on One Nation One Election to meet with AGI, Justice Patel today

The last meeting of JPC was held on March 18 in which former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve participated, BJP MP and 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE) JPC Chairperson, PP Chaudhary had said

Determined to introduce one nation, one election: Law minister Meghwal

One nation, one election is in national interest and the Centre is determined to introduce it, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Saturday. Meghwal highlighted that Lok Sabha and assembly elections were held simultaneously in 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967. "The initiative is in the national interest. The Election Commission, NITI Aayog and the high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind gave their consent (to the policy). The Cabinet approved it after that," he said at an event. Meghwal said two bills proposing simultaneous polls were introduced in the Lok Sabha and being examined by a parliamentary panel. Discussions are being held with various social organisations, he added. A 39-member parliamentary panel is scrutinising two bills on simultaneous elections, including one for amending the Constitution. The Union minister, who inaugurated the third academic block of a private university in Jaipur, also said the three new criminal laws, implemented last Jul

Ex-CJI Gogoi flags clause on power of EC in One Nation One Election Bill

Ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi questions Article 82A(5) of the new bill that grants excessive power to the Election Commission to decide if an Assembly election should be separate from the Lok Sabha polls

Simultaneous polls will undermine country's federal structure: NPF

The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) on Saturday strongly opposed the proposal of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, asserting that it would undermine India's federal structure and lead to a "one-party rule". Raising the issue of 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) during the Zero Hour of the Nagaland assembly, NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon said it is detrimental to India, which is known for its unity in diversity. He claimed ONOE would undermine India's federal structure and the autonomy of individual states, especially Nagaland, which was born out of a political agreement, with special privileges inserted under Article 371(A) of the Constitution. He argued that synchronising elections would diminish the role of regional parties, which play a crucial part in advocating for local issues. Kikon said ONOE could overshadow regional issues with national political narratives, especially from financially dominant national parties. This shift, he said, would jeopardise the democr

JPC meeting on 'One Nation, One Election' sparks debate on feasibility

According to sources, many leaders questioned the affordability and practicality of holding simultaneous elections across the country

ONOE Bill upholds federal structure: Former law panel chief to House panel

Former Law Commission chairperson Justice (Retd.) Ritu Raj Awasthi on Tuesday is learnt to have told the joint committee of Parliament examining the 'one nation, one election' (ONOE) Bill that the proposed measure does not violate the basic structure doctrine on federalism and is not against the democratic principles of the Constitution. Justice Awasthi, who is now a member of anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal, is also learnt to have told the committee members that the bill, which lays down the legal framework to hold simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, does not violate the right to vote for eligible citizens. Deposing before the panel as an expert, the former Karnataka High Court chief justice said that the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill had all the ingredients to hold simultaneous polls in the country. The law panel under his chairpersonship had prepared a draft report on simultaneous elections. He is learnt to have told the committee that the bill, ...

Parliamentary panel on 'One Nation One Election' to meet on February 25

Chairman PP Chaudhary stated on January 31 that they had a positive discussion and members were asked to give suggestions

'One nation one election' linked to future of youth: PM Modi at NCC rally

The Prime Minister urged the youth including NCC cadets, MyBharat volunteers and NSS members to be part of the debate, take part in large numbers and lead it

In R-Day eve address to nation, Murmu bats for 'One Nation, One Election'

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday advocated for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, asserting it has the potential to redefine "good governance" in the country by promoting consistency in governance, preventing policy paralysis, mitigating resource diversion, and alleviating financial burdens on the state. In her address to the nation ahead of the 76th Republic Day, she emphasised the government's ongoing efforts to "eliminate remnants of a colonial mindset that have lingered in the country for decades" and cited the replacement of the British-era criminal laws with three new modern laws. "We have been witnessing concerted efforts to change that mindset... Reforms of such magnitude require an audacity of vision," she said. Highlighting the significance of the proposed bill aimed at synchronising election schedules across the country, Murmu noted, "The 'One Nation One Election' plan can offer numerous benefits, including enhanced governance and reduced financial strain." In

800 more warehouses required to store EVMs for simultaneous polls: EC

The Election Commission (EC) has projected a requirement of 800 additional warehouses across the country to store EVMs and other equipment in case simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are held. The poll body has described the construction of warehouses as a "laborious process" entailing cost. The cost of the land and construction is borne by the respective state governments. The EC had shared its views on various aspects of holding simultaneous elections with the Law Commission and the Department of Legal Affairs in the Union law ministry in March 2023. Its views on the issue now form part of the documents shared with the members of the joint committee of Parliament examining the two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous polls in the country. "In case of simultaneous elections, for safe and secure storage of EVMs/VVPATs, there will be a requirement of about 800 additional warehouses...," the EC has said. It has noted that enforcing safety and .

JPC to hold inaugural meet to discuss One Nation, One Election Bill today

The Joint Parliamentary Committee is tasked with scrutinising the bills proposing simultaneous elections and addressing the concerns raised by Opposition parties

Bills that rose above Parliament's din to become legislation in 2024

From 'One Nation, One Election' to financial reforms, here's a glimpse at the landmark bills passed this year that are poised to reshape governance, law, and the economy