What is the ‘one nation, one election’ plan?
Elections are essential for our country. They help us choose our leaders. In India, we have two main types of elections. One is for the central government, called the Lok Sabha election. The other is for the state leaders, known as the state assembly election.
On 1st September 2023, the central government formed a group led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the possibility of the 'one nation, one election' (ONOE) plan. The idea is to have the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections on the same day or within a specific time.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has always talked about this idea. So, the group has been formed to decide on the ONOE plan.
What are some advantages of the ‘one nation, one election’ plan?
The main benefit of this plan is that it will lower the cost of conducting elections. A lot of money is spent on different elections. The ONOE can help reduce this cost. It will also make things easier for those engaged in electoral duties many times a year.
The plan will also help reduce the frequency of elections held nationwide. This will help the government focus on various issues besides elections.
What are some disadvantages of the ‘one nation, one election’ plan?
To implement the ONOE plan, various changes must be made to the Constitution. This will take time because everyone, including the state assemblies, needs to agree. The opposition parties are already against this plan.
There's also a worry that local problems might not get enough attention when national elections happen at the same time. Also, what if the central or state governments collapse before the next elections? Will elections be held again, or will the President's rule be imposed?
These are some concerns regarding the ONOE plan. The government must work out the plan properly before implementing it.
