The Joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on One Nation One Election held that simultaneous polls could save nearly Rs. 7 lakh crore and boost GDP growth by up to 1.6%.
- The JPC is scrutinising two proposed legislations related to simultaneous elections: The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
About One Nation One Election
- It refers to the idea of conducting simultaneous elections for all three tiers of government- the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities).
- Significance:
- Financial Savings & Growth: Simultaneous elections will reduce costs of conducting elections and streamline the time-consuming process, aiding economic growth.
- Prevent Policy Paralysis: Frequent elections lead to repeated imposition of Model Code of Conduct, which disrupts developmental activities.
- Simultaneous elections will promote long-term development and welfare policies.
- Resource Preservation and Sustained Governance: Minimizes the frequent diversion of administrative machinery such as teachers and security forces.
- Expert Institutions recommending Simultaneous Elections
- Law Commission of India (170th Report of 1999, 255th Report of 2015, Draft Report 2018)
- Parliamentary Standing Committee Report (2015)
- Working Paper of NITI Aayog (2017)
- High-Level Committee Chaired by Former President Ramnath Kovind (2023)
- Recommended phased implementation: Elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies together and to local bodies within 100 days after that.
Challenges in Implementation
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