It has accepted recommendations of High-Level Committee on ONOE/Simultaneous Elections under chairmanship of former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind.
What is meant by ONOE?
It means holding elections to the House of the People, all the State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies i.e., Municipalities and Panchayats, together.
Benefits of ONOE
- Decreased government exchequer: Rs 60,000 crore was spent in 2019 LS elections.
- Increase voter’s turnout: e.g. Frequent elections lead to ‘voters’ fatigue’
- Stable policy and growth: Currently frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct causes policy paralysis affecting supply chains, business investments and economic growth.
- Smooth delivery of services: Frequent use of government officials and security forces in elections adversely affect discharge of their duties.
Roadmap Suggested by High Level Committee
- Amendments to Constitution in two steps:-
- 1st:Simultaneous conduct of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections (no ratification of states required)
- 2nd:Synchronization of 1st step with local elections by conducting Municipalities and Panchayat elections within 100 days of general elections(requires ratification by not less than one-half of the states)
- Dealing with Hung House/No-Confidence Motion: Fresh elections for constituting new House of People or State Legislative Assembly for unexpired term of the House of the People.
- Common electoral roll for all the three tiers of Government.
