NEW DELHI: The inaugural meeting of the 'One Nation One Election' committee is set to convene this Wednesday. The committee will be presided over by the esteemed former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, and will take place at his residence in the capital city of Delhi. This committee marks a significant step in the ongoing discussion surrounding the feasibility of returning to the practice of holding simultaneous elections for all levels of government, a system that was in place until 1967.
The inception of this committee gained momentum when the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) chief, J P Nadda, held a meeting with ex-President Ram Nath Kovind. During this encounter, the former President was entrusted with the crucial responsibility of leading the committee, which aims to thoroughly examine the practicality of implementing the 'one nation, one election' concept.
Scheduled to meet with the committee head, Ram Nath Kovind, on Wednesday afternoon are two prominent figures in Indian politics: the Home Minister, Amit Shah, and the Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal. This meeting underscores the high-level attention and commitment being devoted to exploring the possibility of simultaneous elections.
The concept of 'one nation, one election' has been strongly advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he assumed office in 2014. He has consistently argued that the frequent electoral cycles, including local elections, impose a significant financial burden on the nation and disrupt the progress of developmental projects during the election period. Ram Nath Kovind, during his tenure as President from 2017 onwards, voiced his support for this idea, aligning himself with the Prime Minister's vision.
As the head of the committee, Ram Nath Kovind's primary task is to delve into the intricacies of making simultaneous Lok Sabha (national) and state assembly elections a reality once again, as was the practice until 1967. This ambitious endeavor not only seeks to streamline the electoral process but also aims to optimize resource allocation and minimize the disruptions caused by frequent elections to ensure continuous progress and development in the nation.
The 'One Nation One Election' committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is poised to explore the feasibility and mechanisms required to reinstate simultaneous elections at the national and state levels. This initiative, driven by the vision of the Prime Minister and supported by key political figures, has the potential to reshape the Indian electoral landscape.
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