New Delhi: A high-level committee, spearheaded by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is on the brink of submitting its report to the Union government regarding the feasibility of implementing the 'One Nation One Election' proposal in India. Sources reveal that the committee is inclined towards advocating for the adoption of the German model of 'constructive no-confidence' to ensure political stability in the event of governmental changes.
The proposed German model suggests that the removal of a government must promptly be followed by the formation of a new one, which will fulfill the remainder of the legislative term. This recommendation is anticipated to be accompanied by a highlighting of the potential economic benefits of simultaneous elections, which could substantially bolster the nation's GDP.
Should the committee's recommendations find favor with the government, the primary requisite would be to amend Rule 198 in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha. Notably, both parliamentary standing committees and previous Law Commission reports have underscored the Speaker of the Lok Sabha's authority to effect such amendments.
This proposed amendment aims to ensure that in the aftermath of a no-confidence motion leading to a governmental collapse, a succeeding government would promptly take charge to serve out the remaining tenure of the Lok Sabha or the respective legislative assembly.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, in its report presented to Parliament in December 2015, had also advocated for the adoption of Germany's 'constructive no-confidence' model to ensure political stability.
Key industry chambers, including CII and FICCI, have thrown their weight behind simultaneous elections, citing benefits such as enhanced ease of doing business. They highlighted significant production losses incurred due to election-related holidays and presented two potential models for simultaneous elections: single-stage simultaneous elections every five years or two-stage elections, staggered over 2.5 years.
These proposed reforms could potentially lead to substantial savings, with estimates suggesting a whopping Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion) reduction in costs. As the committee's report nears completion, anticipation mounts regarding the potential transformation of India's electoral landscape under the 'One Nation One Election' paradigm, with echoes of the German model reverberating within political circles.