Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for shorter election cycles, emphasizing the need to limit the duration of political campaigning to three to four months. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, PM Modi expressed his support for the 'One Nation One Election' initiative, which aims to synchronize the timing of various elections across the country.
PM Modi highlighted the historical context of India's elections, noting that the country initially followed a 'One Nation One Election' model after its first elections in 1951-1952 but deviated from this approach after 1967. He mentioned that a commission was established to explore the feasibility of implementing 'One Nation One Election', and the government is currently studying the commission's report to identify actionable points.
The Prime Minister argued that shorter election cycles would allow the government to focus on governance and developmental initiatives for the majority of the five-year term. He suggested that political campaigning should be condensed into a brief period of three to four months, enabling elected officials to dedicate the remaining four and a half years to nation-building efforts.
PM Modi expressed concern about the disruptive impact of prolonged election campaigns on governance, citing instances where political leaders are compelled to engage in electoral activities rather than focusing on their administrative duties. He underscored the strain placed on state resources and administrative personnel during election periods, recalling his experiences as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
In conclusion, PM Modi reiterated the importance of streamlining the electoral process to ensure efficient governance and effective utilization of resources. He emphasized the need for political consensus and collaborative efforts to implement reforms aimed at optimizing the electoral system and promoting national development.
