Committee for ‘One Country, One Election’: Former President Ram Nath Kovind to Lead

The Central Government has taken a significant step towards the realization of the ‘One Country, One Election’ concept by establishing a dedicated committee. The objective of this committee is to explore the feasibility and implications of synchronizing the electoral cycles across different tiers of government. Former President Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed as the chairperson of the committee, as reported by the news agency PTI. Anticipation surrounds the imminent release of the official notification regarding the committee’s formation.

Special Parliamentary Session Scheduled from September 18 to September 22: Potential Introduction of ‘One Country, One Election’ Bill

The Central Government has taken a significant step towards deliberating on the ‘One Country, One Election’ concept by convening a special session of Parliament. The session, scheduled to be held from September 18 to September 22, has garnered attention for its potential discussion on introducing a bill related to this ambitious initiative. The prospect of such legislative action underscores the government’s commitment to exploring comprehensive reforms in the electoral landscape.

The Central Government has taken a proactive step by forming a committee to delve into the legal dimensions of the ‘One Country, One Election’ proposition. This significant initiative aims to synchronize the electoral cycles across various tiers of government. Moreover, in a demonstration of democratic engagement, the committee intends to gather public opinions to ensure a comprehensive assessment of this transformative proposal.

Congress Objects to Government’s ‘One Country, One Election’ Move: Leader of Opposition Questions Sudden Necessity

The Central Government’s proposal of ‘One Country, One Election’ has encountered opposition from the Congress party. Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Congress Member of Parliament, has raised questions about the government’s rationale behind the sudden push for synchronized elections at all levels of governance.

Special Parliamentary Session Scheduled: Five-Day Deliberations to Explore Key Agendas

The forthcoming special session of Parliament, slated to convene from September 18 to 22, is expected to be a pivotal event marked by significant discussions and deliberations. This session, which will span five days, holds the promise of addressing a range of important agendas, from women’s representation in Parliament to the introduction of key bills, and even the transition to a new Parliament House.

Session Overview:

The special session, a significant assembly in the parliamentary calendar, marks the 13th session of the 17th Lok Sabha and the 261st session of the Rajya Sabha. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi announced the session via a social media post, confirming that it will consist of five meetings over the designated period.

Agenda Possibilities:

The special session is poised to explore multiple significant agendas, reflecting the diverse concerns of the nation:

Gender Representation: One potential agenda item pertains to enhancing women’s representation in Parliament. Discussions may center on allocating more than one-third of the parliamentary seats for women, a step towards achieving greater gender balance in legislative bodies.

Parliament House Transition: The session might delve into the transition from the old Parliament House to the new one. This discussion could encompass logistical arrangements, ceremonial aspects, and the symbolic significance of the move.

Uniform Civil Code: The introduction of a Uniform Civil Code Bill is another potential item on the agenda. This highly debated topic pertains to the formulation of a common set of laws that would apply to all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

Simultaneous Elections: The deliberations may include a bill addressing the synchronization of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, aiming to streamline the electoral process and minimize disruptions caused by frequent polls.

Reservations Provision: The session may witness discussions on the recommendations of the Rohini Commission, which explored the sub-categorization of the central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the distribution of reservations.

Rethinking Gender Representation in Parliament: Exploring Innovative Approaches

The discussion surrounding enhancing women’s representation in the Indian Parliament has taken an innovative turn. Instead of adopting the conventional approach of providing a fixed percentage of reservation, there is a proposal to increase the number of seats dedicated to women. This strategy draws inspiration from historical precedents and aims to introduce a fresh perspective on addressing gender disparity in legislative bodies.

Historical Precedent:

The proposal to increase the number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha takes inspiration from past instances, specifically the arrangements made for SC-ST (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe) seats in the 1952 and 1957 elections. During that period, more than one candidate was elected for 89-90 seats. This arrangement, however, was eventually phased out due to subsequent electoral demarcations.

Innovative Formulation:

One potential approach involves the introduction of additional seats in the Lok Sabha, specifically allocated for women candidates. Rather than implementing a flat 33% reservation, the government could designate these new seats in constituencies with over 18 lakh voters. This approach could lead to the election of both a general candidate and a woman candidate from such constituencies, thereby enhancing gender representation.

Benefits and Implications:

The proposed approach offers several benefits and implications:

1. Inclusive Representation: By introducing additional seats for women candidates, the proposal aims to create a more inclusive and diverse Parliament that better reflects the demographic composition of the nation.

2. Addressing Voter Base: The focus on constituencies with larger voter bases ensures that the impact of increased representation is felt across a broader spectrum of citizens.

3. Step towards Parity: The proposal signifies a significant step towards achieving gender parity in legislative bodies, potentially encouraging more women to participate in politics.

4. Party Consensus: Given that most political parties support the idea of enhanced women’s representation, this approach could garner consensus among various stakeholders.

5. Historical Context: Drawing from historical arrangements for SC-ST seats, the proposal is grounded in precedent and the willingness to experiment with novel ideas.

Historic Special Sessions of Indian Parliament: A Recap of Notable Occasions

Throughout India’s post-independence history, the convening of special sessions of Parliament has been reserved for moments of historical significance. These sessions mark pivotal junctures, such as the nation’s independence, milestone anniversaries, and crucial legislative implementations. Let’s delve into five instances where special parliamentary sessions were convened to address momentous events and decisions.

14-15 August 1947: The Dawn of Independence

The first special session of Parliament coincided with India’s momentous declaration of independence on 14-15 August 1947. This historic session symbolized the culmination of the freedom struggle and the commencement of a new era for the nation.

14-15 August 1972: Silver Jubilee Celebration

On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of Independence, a special session was convened in 1972. This event offered an opportunity for reflection on the progress made since independence and the path forward for a growing nation.

9 August 1992: Commemorating the Quit India Movement

In remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, a special midnight session was held on 9 August 1992. This session paid homage to the movement’s pivotal role in India’s struggle for freedom.

August 1997: Celebrating 50 Years of Independence

A six-day special parliamentary session in August 1997 celebrated the 50th anniversary of India’s independence. During this session, the nation reflected on the strides taken since independence and the aspirations for the future.

30 June 2017: Midnight Session for GST Implementation

A landmark special session was convened on 30 June 2017 to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This session marked a transformative step in India’s economic landscape and demonstrated the government’s commitment to effective policy implementation.

What is One Nation-One Election?

“One Nation-One Election” or “One Country-One Election” is a concept that proposes synchronizing the election cycles for various tiers of government in India. Specifically, it advocates for holding Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and State Legislative Assembly elections simultaneously across the country. The primary aim of this concept is to streamline the electoral process, reduce the frequency of elections, and enhance governance efficiency.

Historical Context:

In the initial years after India’s independence, there were instances where Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were held simultaneously, such as in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, the tradition was disrupted due to the early dissolution of some Assembly elections in 1968 and 1969, followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 1970. This interruption marked the end of the practice of simultaneous elections.

Shiv Sena Expresses Concern Over Special Parliamentary Session During Ganesh Festival

The decision to convene a special session of the Parliament during the Ganesh festival has elicited a response from the Shiv Sena, a prominent political party in India. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and leader of the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav faction, expressed concerns about the timing of the session, contending that it could be perceived as being insensitive to Hindu sentiments.