Daily Current Affairs : 13-December-2024
The Union Cabinet has approved two important bills, including a constitutional amendment, to implement the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) policy. This policy aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha (the national parliament) and state legislative assemblies. By holding these elections together, the government seeks to reduce the frequency of elections, lower electoral costs, and improve the efficiency of governance.
What is One Nation, One Election?
ONOE is a proposal to hold elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies at the same time. The objective is to cut down on the repeated election cycles, which can be costly and time-consuming for both the government and the public. The key features of the policy include:
- Reduced frequency of elections
- Streamlined governance
- Lower electoral expenditure
Constitutional Amendments for ONOE
To implement ONOE, several amendments are proposed to the Constitution, specifically:
- Article 82A
- Article 83(2)
- Article 327
Additionally, a new article, Article 324A, will be added to manage the synchronization of elections.
The Ramnath Kovind Committee’s Report
In September 2023, a committee headed by former President Ramnath Kovind was set up to explore the feasibility of ONOE. The committee submitted a detailed 18,626-page report after consultations with various stakeholders. The key recommendations of this report include:
- Legal Framework: A clear and lawful framework to implement synchronized elections.
- First Stage: Simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies.
- Second Stage: Align municipal and panchayat elections with Lok Sabha and state assembly elections within 100 days.
Key Features of the ONOE Policy
- Presidential Notification: The President will announce the date of the first Lok Sabha session after general elections for synchronization.
- Transitory Measures: The tenure of state assemblies will end with the next Lok Sabha polls to ensure synchronization.
- Fresh Elections:
- If there is a hung Lok Sabha or no-confidence motion, fresh Lok Sabha elections will be held.
- Fresh elections for state assemblies will take place and serve until the next Lok Sabha term concludes.
Unified Electoral Roll
To facilitate synchronized elections, there will be a single electoral roll for both the national and state elections. This will be managed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and state election commissions.
Logistical and Infrastructure Preparations
To successfully conduct ONOE, the Election Commission will need to ensure:
- Sufficient electoral equipment like EVMs and VVPATs
- Adequate personnel deployment
- Tight security measures to ensure smooth elections
Important Points:
- Objective: Synchronize elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies to reduce election frequency, cut costs, and streamline governance.
- Proposed Constitutional Amendments: Changes to Articles 82A, 83(2), 327, and the addition of Article 324A.
- Ramnath Kovind Committee: Formed in 2023 to explore the feasibility of ONOE, submitting an 18,626-page report after stakeholder consultations.
- Key Recommendations:
- First Stage: Conduct simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies.
- Second Stage: Align municipal and panchayat elections with Lok Sabha and state elections within 100 days.
- Presidential Notification: The President will announce the date for the synchronization of elections after the first Lok Sabha session post-general elections.
- Transitory Measures: State assembly tenures will end with the next Lok Sabha elections to ensure synchronization.
- Fresh Elections:
- Lok Sabha elections in case of a hung parliament or no-confidence motion.
- Fresh state assembly elections will be held, serving until the next Lok Sabha term ends.
- Unified Electoral Roll: A single electoral roll managed by the Election Commission and state commissions for synchronized elections.
- Logistical Preparations: The Election Commission will prepare sufficient equipment, personnel, and security for smooth execution.
Why In News
The Union Cabinet has approved two bills, including a constitutional amendment, to implement the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) policy, which aims to streamline the electoral process by synchronizing national and state elections, reducing costs, and enhancing governance efficiency.
MCQs about Understanding the One Nation, One Election Policy
-
What is the primary goal of the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) policy?
A. To reduce the number of political parties
B. To synchronize elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies
C. To extend the tenure of the Lok Sabha
D. To increase the frequency of elections
-
Which constitutional articles are proposed to be amended for the implementation of the ONOE policy?
A. Articles 21 and 22
B. Articles 82A, 83(2), and 327
C. Articles 50 and 51
D. Articles 1 and 2
-
What is the role of the Ramnath Kovind Committee in the ONOE policy?
A. To draft new election laws
B. To evaluate the feasibility of synchronized elections
C. To oversee election campaigns
D. To create a new political party for national elections
-
How will the Election Commission ensure the successful execution of simultaneous elections under the ONOE policy?
A. By holding elections only in large cities
B. By limiting voter participation
C. By preparing sufficient equipment, personnel, and security
D. By increasing the election period
Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions
