By Bulletin Times 
Cabinet Clears Path for Simultaneous Elections: Comprehensive Bill on the Horizon
In a major political development, the Union Cabinet has reportedly given its approval to the much-debated ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy. Sources indicate that a comprehensive Bill on the proposal is set to be tabled in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
The concept of synchronized elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies gained momentum earlier this year when a High-Level Committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind recommended its adoption. The Committee underscored the broad support for the initiative, suggesting it would foster development and fortify the country’s democratic framework.
Bringing the proposal to fruition would necessitate several constitutional amendments. While some changes would require ratification by the states, others could be enacted solely by Parliament, according to the Committee’s report.
On September 18, the Union Cabinet formally accepted the Committee’s recommendations, marking a significant step toward implementing the initiative.
The Committee’s consultations included interactions with four former Chief Justices of India (CJIs)—Dipak Misra, Ranjan Gogoi, Sharad Arvind Bobde, and UU Lalit—who all endorsed the idea. Additionally, among twelve former High Court judges consulted, nine expressed support, while three voiced reservations.
Among those voicing concerns were Justice AP Shah, erstwhile Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court; Justice Girish Chandra Gupta, a former judge of the Calcutta High Court; and Justice Sanjib Banerjee, former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. They highlighted various challenges and expressed reservations about the feasibility of implementing the proposal.
As the government moves forward with the ambitious policy, debates around its practicality and implications are expected to intensify. Advocates argue it will streamline electoral processes and reduce financial and logistical burdens, while critics question the feasibility of aligning diverse electoral timelines across states.
With the Bill likely to be introduced soon, all eyes are now on Parliament for the next chapter in this significant political and electoral reform journey.