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States » SouthPosted at: Apr 5 2025 11:17PM


ONOE will enhance voter turnout, will be initiated only in 2034 : Nirmala

Chennai, Apr 5 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday
said the One Nation One Election, (ONOE) concept envisaging simultaneous
polls for Parliament and State Legislatures, will increase voter turnout and reduce
poll-related expenditures and that it will be initiated only in 2034 after Constitutional
Amendments.
Speaking at a seminar on simultaneous polls at a private University on the outskirts
of the city, she denied reports that it will come into effect in 2029 shortening the terms
of State Legislatures.
"It is factually incorrect", she asserted, while noting that simultaneous polls will boost
economic growth, eliminate administrative disruptions, enhance public welfare,
besides reducing poll-related expenditures significantly.
Taking a dig at the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on the ONOE idea, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman
said former Chief Minister and DMK Leader M Karunanidhi had supported it.
"But now his son, Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin is opposing it, instead of
supporting it by toeing his father's line", she said, adding ONOE should be seen in national
interest as a priority, free from political bias.
Pointing out that the ONOE concept was not introduced by the BJP government headed
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Finance Minister contended that simultaneous
elections were held till the 1960s after independence and there was no opposition to it.
Recalling that five states had thrice faced polls between 1961 and 1970, 14 states faced
it thrice between 1971 and 1980, Ms Nirmala argued that the frequent elections disrupted
the timely decision-making process, stalled developmental activities, and hindered progress.
Noting that simultaneous polls would further boost India’s growth rate by 1.5 percentage
points – equivalent to nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore – and save about Rs 12,000 crore in election
expenses, she said implementing ONOE would lead to enhanced voter turnout.
Claiming that a misinformation campaign was being spread that simultaneous polls would
be implemented in 2029 resulting in shortening of State Legislatures, Ms Nirmala said the
129th (Amendment) Bill, 2024 of the Constitution, proposes simultaneous elections by
incorporating Article 82(A) to the Constitution of India.
The Bill also seeks to amend Articles 83, 172, and 327 with changes effective from a date,
post-2029 general elections, thereby initiating simultaneous elections only in 2034, she said.
UNI GV 2300
Tags: #ONOE will enhance voter turnout# will be initiated only in 2034 : Nirmala
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