Agartala: Feb 26: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha expressed strong support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen democracy, enhance voter turnout, and generate economic benefits. Speaking at a discussion session on the topic at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan on February 26, Dr. Saha emphasized that conducting elections only once every five years would alleviate many of the current challenges faced by citizens and the government.
Dr. Saha noted that elections often disrupt daily life, particularly by causing schools to close as they are repurposed for election duties. He pointed out that with ‘One Nation, One Election,’ citizens would only need to cast their votes once every five years, which would be a significant relief for the common people who often face inconveniences from multiple elections held throughout the year. He also suggested that a unified election cycle would lead to increased voter turnout, as people would be more engaged in a single, consolidated electoral process.
From an economic perspective, the Chief Minister stated that holding multiple elections in a year requires substantial financial resources, which could be better utilized elsewhere. Additionally, he pointed out that teachers and other employees often face disruptions when they are deputed for election duties, which impacts their work in other sectors. Dr. Saha also highlighted the negative impact of the Model Code of Conduct during elections, which restricts the government from making decisions or signing important documents.
The Chief Minister reiterated that implementing ‘One Nation, One Election’ would not only ensure a more stable and efficient governance system but would also bring about economic and social benefits, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for its implementation as a necessary reform.
