A committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind has invited the public to comment on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan to conduct simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies.
Comments are requested by the 15th through email to the email address of the committee.
In September last year, the central government set up an advisory committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to study the feasibility of implementing the ‘One Nation, One Vote’ scheme.
The committee is examining various aspects including the amendments to be made in the Constitution Act, Representation of the People Act, and other laws to implement the scheme.
At the same time, opposition parties including Congress are protesting that the ‘One Nation, One Vote’ scheme will threaten the federal system.
Since its inception, the Ethical Committee has met twice and deliberated. At that time, the views of the Central Law Commission were sought.
Further, the Steering Committee wrote to the political parties seeking their views and holding a consultative meeting. In this context, comments have been sought from the public.
From 1951 to 1967, elections to Lok Sabha and assemblies were held mostly simultaneously. Now the feasibility of conducting polls for Lok Sabha, Assemblies, and local bodies simultaneously is being explored.
As per the current practice, polls are conducted every year at a huge cost to the government and other parties; the Code of conduct disrupts development plans. Pointing out such reasons, the central government is trying to implement the ‘One Nation, One Vote’ scheme.
Law Commission Consultation: The Law Commission is also involved in serious consultation regarding this scheme. Informed sources said that various methods are being discussed, including holding polls for the Lok Sabha and Assemblies in one phase and for the local bodies in the next phase.
