Four ex-CJIs back 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, 3 former HC judges object: Report

Former CJIs Dipak Misra, Ranjan Gogoi, Sharad Arvind Bobde, and UU Lalit participated in the consultation process and supported the proposal in written responses.

The union cabinet Wednesday cleared the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal in a significant step towards holding simultaneous polls across the country.

Addressing the media, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the simultaneous polls would take place in two phases. "The first phase will cover Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections, while the second phase will cover local body elections, within 100 days of the first phase," he said.

The proposal was cleared based on the report by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Supporting the scheme, former CJI Gogoi highlighted several advantages, including cost efficiency, administrative simplification, enhanced voter engagement, and lesser influence of money and muscle power, according to a report by BarBench.

Former CJI Bobde met Kovind in February this year and expressed his view that concerns about simultaneous elections violating the basic structure, federalism, or democratic principles are misplaced.

Meanwhile, CJI Lalit reportedly highlighted the potential of simultaneous polls to improve the electoral process, uphold democratic principles, and lower public expenditure.

He also noted, "A common electoral roll will be made for all elections... an implementation group will be formed to take forward the recommendations of the Kovind panel."

According to reports, of the twelve former High Court judges consulted on the proposal, nine supported the idea of simultaneous elections, while three expressed concerns and objections.

The bill will be brought by the government in Parliament in the winter session.