The BJP-led NDA government will implement ‘One Nation, One Election’ during its tenure. Government sources also said that the census exercise will begin soon and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored in the shortest possible time after the elections. Sources said ‘One Nation, One Election’ will be a reality. “Certainly, it will be implemented during this term itself,” they said.
In his Independence Day address last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pitched for ‘one nation, one election’, arguing that frequent elections create obstacles to the country’s progress.
PM Modi made the appeal from Red Fort
In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi had said, “The country has to come forward for ‘one nation, one election’.”
The Prime Minister had urged political parties “to ensure the progress of the country from the Red Fort and with the national tricolour as witness.”
As the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 100 days of its third term, sources said the harmony within the ruling coalition will continue for the rest of the term. ‘One country, one election’ is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
Recommendation to conduct local body elections within 100 days
In March this year, a high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had taken the first step forward and recommended holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, followed by local body polls within 100 days.
Apart from this, the Law Commission can recommend holding simultaneous elections for all three levels of government – Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and local bodies like municipalities and panchayats.
The Kovind panel has not set any timeline for holding simultaneous elections. It has proposed the creation of an ‘implementation group’ to oversee the implementation of the panel’s recommendations.
The panel recommended 18 constitutional amendments, most of which will not require approval by state legislatures. However, some will require Constitution Amendment Bills to be passed by Parliament.
Census will be conducted soon, no decision on caste census yet, government sources gave information