PM Narendra Modi Calls for Discussion on ‘One Nation, One Election’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern on Tuesday over low voter turnout, particularly in educated and rich metropolitan regions, and stated that this must change in a thriving democracy like India. Modi also emphasised the concerns of “one nation, one election” and “one nation, one voters’ list” in an encounter with BJP workers from throughout the country, saying that the continual cycle of elections results in politics being visible in everything while development efforts suffer.

On Tuesday, he gave a speech that coincided with National Voters’ Day. While noting that voter turnout increased from 45% in the first Lok Sabha elections in 1951-52 to 67% in 2019, he stated that the increase in female voters was a good thing, but that everyone, from citizens to members of various political parties, should be concerned about low polling.

He noted that low polling is found in metropolitan regions that are deemed educated and rich, regretting that residents debate elections on social media but do not vote. Modi directed the BJP’s “panna pramukhs” and other ground workers to ensure that 75% of voters vote in each election. The PM praised the Election Commission for its initiatives to enhance polling, calling it “the most sacred donation” to build democracy.

He claimed that the recently passed legislation requiring voters to link their Aadhaar number to their voter ID would increase transparency. He said that discussing “one nation, one election” and “one nation, one voters’ list” would allow alternative perspectives to emerge.

Even his meeting with BJP “panna pramukhs,” individuals in charge of one page of a booth’s voter list, is related to elections, he claimed, adding that he had been planning it for some time. Beginning next month, assembly elections will be contested in seven phases in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.