Dimapur, September 16 (MExN): Despite being cost-effective and convenient, the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) is “dangerous” to a democratic country like India as it is a threat to the autonomy of the state governments,’ the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Nagaland asserted today.
Besides, simultaneous elections would obstruct the growth of regional parties as the spotlight on national issues during a unified electoral process may overshadow regional concerns, added a press release from Richard Humtsoe, President, LJP (RV) Nagaland.
As per the release, the idea of ONOE resurfaced again in 2023. In September 2023 when the Union Government of India established a ‘High-Level Committee” chaired by former President of India Ram Nath Kovind.
Since then, the committee has convened three times and gathered opinions from political parties and eminent jurists, it said.
While there is no set timeline for the committee’s recommendations, the fact that it aligns with the lead-up to the 2024 general elections raises concerns, it added.
Given the potential to reshape the democratic structure and federal system, it is crucial to promptly analyse the legal aspects of this initiative, the release further stated.
It further cited ONOE is being followed in countries like Sweden, South Africa and also on some in South America.
Some advantage of ONOE include reduction in election costs and allowing the government to focus more on governance rather than being in election mode, it added.
It would also reduce the workload on administrative and security forces and boost voter turnout because it will be easier for people to cast multiple ballots at once.
The release further highlighted that the LJP (RV) under Chirag Paswan had appreciated the initiative on ONOE of NDA- BJP led Government under the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to prioritise development over election campaigns.
However, it concluded that despite being cost-effective and convenient, the ONOE would be dangerous to democratic country like by usurping state governments’ autonomy and national issues overshadowing regional concerns during elections.
The LJP (RV) Nagaland’s release amid media reports that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is “gearing up to roll out the 'One Nation, One Election' policy before the end of its current term.”
