One Nation, One Election” Gains Momentum: Special Parliament Session to Discuss Key Reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively promoting the concept of “One Nation, One Election,” advocating the simultaneous conduct of assembly and general elections. The idea behind this initiative is to reduce the cost of elections and free up valuable time for governance. To delve deeper into the specifics of “One Nation, One Election,” the Central government has established a committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Currently, assembly elections are scheduled for five states in November-December, followed by the Lok Sabha elections in May-June of the following year. A Special Session of Parliament, consisting of the 13th Session of the 17th Lok Sabha and the 261st Session of Rajya Sabha, has been convened from 18th to 22nd September, encompassing five sittings.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed optimism about the forthcoming session, stating, “Amid Amrit Kaal, looking forward to having fruitful discussions and debates in Parliament,” through a social media platform. While the government has not officially disclosed the agenda for the special Parliament session, it is expected that key issues will be on the table.

The Central government may introduce a Bill related to “One Nation, One Election,” along with proposals for women’s reservation and the Uniform Civil Code. However, the specific agenda remains undisclosed at this time. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly supports the “One Nation, One Election” concept, asserting that it would save the nation’s resources, streamline administration, and enhance the overall electoral process.

If the “One Nation, One Election” Bill is tabled during the special session of Parliament, it will require a Constitutional amendment. To achieve this, it would need the approval of 67% of Lok Sabha members, 67% of Rajya Sabha members, and the consensus of 50% of state legislatures—a significant step toward fundamental electoral reform.