CHALLENGES TO “ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION” PROPOSAL

Why in the News?

  • Congress criticizes the proposal as “undemocratic.”
  • Emphasizes contradiction with the Constitution’s basic structure.

Highlighted Issues:

  • Challenges financial arguments, citing minimal election costs.
  • Calls for transparency in political funding.
  • Questions VVPAT machine use and critiques Niti Aayog’s proposal alterations.
  • Urges dissolution of the Kovind panel.
  • Questions biased composition, lacking opposition representation.
Source : HT
About “One Nation, One Election”

·    Definition and Purpose:

o    ONOE advocates simultaneous national and sub-national elections.

o    Aims to streamline the electoral process, cut costs, and potentially boost voter turnout.

·    Historical Context: Simultaneous elections were initially practiced post-independence, conducting Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967.

·    Discontinuation: Discontinued after 1967 due to early dissolution of some State Legislative Assemblies in 1968-69.

·    Panel : Panel led by Ex. President Ram nath Kovid is discussing the One Nation, One Election.