PM Narendra Modi's cabinet approves One Nation One Election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet on Wednesday (Sep 18) approved the proposal for a 'One Nation One Election', in a step towards holding simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

'One Nation, One Election'wasone of the key promises made by PM Modi'sBharatiya Janata Party(BJP) in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections which were held earlier this year.

The approval was granted after a report prepared by a high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind was presented in front of the cabinet.

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The panelin March this year recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step, followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.

The Ram Nath Kovind-led committee has not specified any period for rolling out simultaneous polls.

It has proposed the creation of an 'Implementation Group' to look into the execution of the panel's recommendations.

Previous instance

Elections (to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of States) were mostly held simultaneously from 1951-52 to 1967, after which this cycle was broken.

Currently,elections are held almost every year and within a year too at different times which keeps the politicians more focused on winning elections, instead of working for the welfare of the public.

The panel is of the view that holding simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion. It will also deepen the "foundations of the democratic rubric" and help realise the aspirations of "India that is Bharat".

Watch |'One Nation, One Election' Explained; What is it and How it will work

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BJP batting for ONOE

The approval comes a day after Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, addressing a press conference to mark the 100 days of the third term of PM Modi said ONOE will be implemented within the current tenure.

"We plan to implement 'One Nation, One Election' in the present tenure of this government."

In his Independence Day address last month, PM Modi also made a strong pitch for 'One Nation, One Election', contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the country's progress.

"The nation has to come forward for 'One Nation, One Election'," Modi had said in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

According to reports, after the approval, the bill for ONOE is expected to be presented in the parliament during the winter session.

(With inputs from agencies)