The upcoming special session of Parliament, scheduled from September 18 to 22, might witness the introduction of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, sources have indicated. Presently, Lok Sabha elections and state Assembly elections are held separately, leading to multiple election cycles annually. The proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework seeks to amalgamate all elections within a singular cycle, potentially occurring on the same day.
Nonetheless, the notion has encountered opposition, prominently from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In January, the AAP alleged that the ruling BJP was exploiting this idea to validate the exchange of elected representatives within its “Operation Lotus.” The party also contended that the BJP was transitioning from a parliamentary system to a presidential one. Their apprehension rested on the concern that well-funded parties could sway state matters through financial and authoritative influence, potentially influencing voter decisions if Lok Sabha and assembly elections coincided.
Contrastingly, the BJP views synchronized elections as a means to expedite development. Chief ministers of various BJP-governed states have voiced worries about the disruption caused by recurrent elections and the imposition of the model code of conduct, which impedes progress-oriented work. They advocate for dialogues with opposition-led state administrations to explore the feasibility of simultaneous elections.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, aimed at streamlining the electoral process, faces resistance due to apprehensions regarding its potential repercussions on state affairs and governance. The discourse surrounding this concept is anticipated to persist within the political landscape.
