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Firmly expressing his views on One Nation, One Election, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that One Nation, One Election is not merely an administrative reform, but a significant initiative toward making the country’s democracy more empowered, effective, and inclusive. It is a revolutionary step in the national interest. In a vast democratic country like India, elections are festivals of democracy, but when elections are held repeatedly—sometimes in one state, sometimes in another every year—this process becomes burdensome. He noted that the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct halts development work and negatively impacts the economy.
Chief Minister Dhami said that repeated elections lead to the waste of resources at every level of the election process and place a financial strain on the government treasury. He clarified that during elections, a large number of state teachers, officers from various departments, police forces, and central security forces have to be diverted from their primary duties to election duties, negatively affecting their core responsibilities. Everyone must show unity on the issue of One Nation, One Election.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was addressing an intellectual conference on the topic “One Nation, One Election” organized by the Swarnim Devbhoomi Foundation at the Survey of India Auditorium in Dehradun.
On this occasion, warmly welcoming BJP National General Secretary and National In-Charge of One Nation, One Election, Mr. Sunil Bansal, who was visiting Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Dhami said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nearly 11-year tenure has been filled with historic achievements. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the past decade has seen the establishment of new milestones in development and economic progress, along with strengthening India’s democracy through several historic decisions—whether it is the implementation of GST, the abolition of triple talaq, the removal of Article 370 from Kashmir, the enactment of the CAA-NRC laws, the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. All these decisions have given India a new direction.
CM Dhami said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, steps are being taken toward enacting historic legislation in the form of One Nation, One Election. According to a NITI Aayog report, holding simultaneous elections could save up to ₹12,000 crore. This substantial amount could be used to strengthen education, health, and basic infrastructure in the country. Moreover, better coordination between central and state governments would ensure timely completion of all projects.
The Chief Minister said that simultaneous elections would also increase voter turnout, as many people living in other states hesitate to return to their home state multiple times just to vote. However, if elections are held simultaneously at all three levels, they will be more likely to vote. He emphasized that the time has come to restore this balance using modern technology, the Election Commission’s transparency, and public cooperation. CM Dhami said that if countries like the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Sweden can conduct simultaneous elections, then why can’t India, the world’s largest democracy, do the same? With a strong and determined leader like Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no work in national interest can remain incomplete. The draft presented in the Lok Sabha under PM Modi’s guidance has been prepared after deep research and analysis. The draft considers every scenario, including how to implement this system in all states and how elections would be conducted if a state government is dissolved mid-term. Currently, this draft has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for extensive deliberation. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that one day, the One Nation, One Election system will surely be implemented in India and will contribute to strengthening democracy.
On this occasion, BJP National General Secretary and National In-Charge of One Nation, One Election, Mr. Sunil Bansal congratulated CM Pushkar Singh Dhami for being the first to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. He said that Uttarakhand has set an example for the nation by implementing the UCC, and other states are also showing eagerness to follow suit. He emphasized that One Nation, One Election is in the national interest in every way and that widespread public awareness on the issue is necessary.
Present at the event were Rajya Sabha MP and BJP State President Mr. Mahendra Bhatt, Cabinet Ministers Mr. Ganesh Joshi and Mr. Saurabh Bahuguna, State General Secretary (Organization) Mr. Ajay Kumar, environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Mr. Anil Joshi, folk singer and Padma Shri awardee Mrs. Basanti Bisht, Padma Shri awardee Mr. Kanheya Lal Pokhriyal, along with a large number of ex-servicemen, saints, and intellectuals from various fields.
