If implemented with right intent, ‘One Nation, One Election’ will be beneficial, Says Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraaj Abhiyan head Prashant Kishor stated on Thursday that if carried out with the right intent, 'One Nation, One Election' will be good for the country.

"If implemented with the right intent, this idea would be highly beneficial for the nation," said Prashant Kishor.

Kishor further remarked that the acceptance or success of the proposal depends majorly upon the purpose and intention behind its execution.

I welcome the idea if that is done with the intention to benefit the nation but also warned against its potential misuse. In case this law would be used against specific groups, so that might be negative. The honesty and integrity of the approach undertaken by the government will determine its success," Kishor said.

Drawing from his voluminous experience in electoral politics, Kishor said one-quarter of the country's population votes every year because of continuous polls in different states and all tiers of government.

This perpetual election cycle, he said, often makes those in power lose focus about governance since they are always in an election mode.

Kishor further believes that if elections are conducted once or twice in a term, then the government will have more time for governance, and both the times and resources of government and the public will be saved.

That 'One Nation One Election' is an addition to the larger discussion on electoral reforms; what is aspired is to have streamlined elections across the country for better efficiency and governance stability."
The electoral process that has been in place for the last 50 years cannot be changed overnight. "The government should allow 4-5 years to gradually implement such a significant change," he said.