New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, January 25 expressed her support for the move on ‘One Nation, One Election’ saying it can prevent policy paralysis, promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis and mitigate resource diversion.
Addressing the Nation on the eve of 76th Republic Day, the President also referred to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, saying there has been “a fresh engagement with our civilisational heritage”. She talked of the new criminal justice laws saying they place thrust on the delivery of justice instead of punishment.
“We won freedom in 1947, but many relics of a colonial mindset persisted among us for long. Of late, we have been witnessing concerted efforts to change that mindset. Among the most noteworthy of such efforts was the decision to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,” she said.
“Based also on Indian traditions of jurisprudence, the new criminal laws place the delivery of justice instead of punishment at the centre of the criminal justice system. Moreover, the new laws grant top priority to countering crimes against women and children. Reforms of such magnitude require an audacity of vision,” she added.
The President referred to the bill on simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which was introduced in the lower House of Parliament in the winter session, and said it promises to redefine the terms of good governance.
“Another measure that promises to redefine the terms of good governance is the Bill introduced in Parliament to synchronise election schedules in the country. The ‘One Nation One Election’ plan can promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, mitigate resource diversion, and reduce the financial burden, apart from offering many other benefits,” she said.
The constitution amendment bill on ‘One Nation, One Election’, which is being examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, proposes aligning the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The bill has been opposed by several opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK.
The government says that synchronising electoral timelines will help meet logistical challenges, reduce costs, and minimise disruptions caused by frequent elections.
The recommendations of High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous were accepted by the Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024. The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the ‘One Nation One Election’ bill was held on January 8. (With inputs from ANI)
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