New Delhi, Sept 16: The NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is preparing to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy within its current term, sources said.
This major electoral reform aims to align national and state elections to streamline the process and reduce interruptions caused by frequent voting. Although the BJP won 240 seats in the recent elections, falling short of the 272 needed for a single-party majority, the government is optimistic about garnering enough cross-party support with help from its allies.
Prime Minister Modi has been a strong advocate for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy, highlighting its benefits in his Independence Day speech. He argued that frequent elections are an obstacle to India’s development. The initiative, part of the BJP’s election promises, gained traction after a report by a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind endorsed the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Additionally, preparations for the decadal census are in progress, though a decision on including a caste category has yet to be made. The census, which was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, is essential for the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act. This law, which reserves one-third of Lok Sabha and state assembly seats for women, will be enforced following delimitation based on the census data collected after the Act’s passage.
