During an interaction with media persons, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressed his hope that the Election Commission will announce simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He also addressed the issue of 'One Nation, One Election' and stated that it will only be effective if implemented in J&K. Refusing to comment on the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, Abdullah also declined to give a set date for announcing NC's candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. He ended by wishing for peace and prosperity during the holy month of Ramadan.
One Nation, One Election: A Call for Simultaneous Polls
The concept of "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) proposes holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian Parliament) and state legislative assemblies. This proposal has been debated in India for several years, with varying degrees of support and opposition.
Background
The idea of ONOE was first mooted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 1999. The ECI argued that simultaneous elections would reduce the frequency of polls, save costs, and minimize disruptions to governance. However, the proposal faced resistance from political parties, who feared that it would weaken the federal structure of the Indian constitution.
In 2016, the government of India set up a high-level committee headed by former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami to examine the feasibility of ONOE. The committee submitted its report in 2018, recommending the adoption of ONOE with certain safeguards.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the ONOE proposal has gained renewed attention. In 2023, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah expressed his support for ONOE, stating that it would be effective if implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. However, he declined to comment on the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a group of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir.
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