"Would encourage regional parties to think nationally, national parties to think regionally": Annamalai highlights benefits of One Nation, One Election

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 14 (ANI): In a detailed explanation of the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) proposal, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai outlined the significant benefits of aligning elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on Friday.
Annamalai underscored a 2017 NITI Aayog analysis that examined the economic potential of One Nation, One Election, suggesting that it would encourage regional parties to think nationally and national parties to think regionally, fostering greater national cohesion in a multi-lingual and culturally diverse India.
He emphasised that One Nation, One Election is not just about the elections themselves but about the complex logistics involved in conducting them efficiently across a vast and diverse country like India.
Annamalai pointed to the challenges faced during elections, mentioning instances where EVM machines were transported in difficult terrains or carried by personnel through dense Naxal-affected areas.
"There is a mission behind it," he said, acknowledging the dedication of India's security forces in ensuring elections are conducted across the country, often in inaccessible areas.
"One Nation, One Election is not about elections alone, it is also about elections alone, it is the dynamics behind the conduct of elections, how we as a country conduct elections, because it is not an ordinary task. Every time we see EVM machines going in elephants, at some places in Uttarakhand we have seen people going carrying EVM machines in their bags because they have to go to an inaccessible terrain. We have seen our brave personnel from the CRPF, central armed forces, paramilitary forces, travelling into dense naxal affected areas, conducting elections. There is a mission behind it," he said.
The BJP leader traced the roots of the One Nation, One Election concept back to 1932, citing the Franchise Committee Report that advocated for a single electoral roll.
He referred to several key reports and committees over the years that have called for simultaneous elections, including the 1983 Election Commission's inaugural report and the Law Commission's 1999 report, which emphasised the importance of One Nation, One Election to reduce confusion caused by multiple elections.
Annamalai also referenced a 2017 NITI Aayog analysis that examined the economic potential of One Nation, One Election, suggesting that it would encourage regional parties to think nationally and vice versa, fostering greater national cohesion in a multi-lingual and culturally diverse India.
Further strengthening his argument, Annamalai pointed to the broad political support for One Nation, One Election, citing the 2019 all-party meeting where 16 out of 19 parties supported the idea, including BJP, NCP, YSRCP, JDU, BJD, BRS, and LJP.
"This is not a concept we are discussing today," he asserted, "it began in 1932, and through multiple discussions over time, there is a growing consensus to move towards One Nation, One Election."
His remarks highlight One Nation, One Election as a long-discussed concept with substantial backing, underscoring its importance for India's democratic and administrative future.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 'One Nation One Election' has requested to depose senior counsel Harish Salve and Attorney General of India, R Venkataraman in its next meeting on March 17 to seek legal suggestions.
After the meeting of the JPC on 'One Nation, One Election' concluded on Tuesday, Committee Chairman PP Chaudhary said that every member is working in the national interest.
PP Chaudhary also informed that former CJI Ranjan Gogoi and former Delhi HC CJ Rajendra Menon attended the meeting and addressed the questions of all members across all parties.
"Two experts attended the meeting, former CJI Ranjan Gogoi and former Delhi HC CJ Rajendra Menon. They gave a presentation and all the members of all parties asked questions with great interest... Every member of the JPC is working in the national interest," PP Chaudhary said."I am sure we will work for 'One Nation One Election' in the national interest. All doubts are being cleared through discussions and deliberation," he said.
Speaking about the meeting, BJP and JPC member Bhartruhari Mahtab said, "We had a fruitful discussion in the JPC and Justice Gogoi and Justice Menon elucidated the legal viewpoints."
In the last JPC meeting on February 25, many leaders questioned the "affordability and practicality" of holding simultaneous elections across the country.
Some MPs also alleged that the move was designed to benefit the ruling party rather than strengthen democratic processes.
Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, former Chairperson of the Law Commission and Judicial Member of Lokpal, who was present during the session, faced pointed questions from multiple MPs. They sought clarity on whether the proposed legislation would favour the ruling party and undermine the electoral process.
In response, Justice Awasthi defended the bill, stating that it aimed to bring electoral stability, though concerns about potential bias persisted.
The Constitution Amendment Bill on One Nation, One Election, currently under review by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, proposes aligning the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Several opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, have opposed the bill.
The government argues that synchronising electoral timelines will help address logistical challenges, reduce costs, and minimise disruptions caused by frequent elections.
The recommendations of the High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections were accepted by the Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024. The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the 'One Nation One Election' bill was held on January 8. (ANI)