‘One Nation, One Election’: Not feasible in one go, says Ahmad Mir

Srinagar, Dec 13: All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, on Friday expressed skepticism about the feasibility of implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative in a vast country like India, saying that simultaneous elections cannot be conducted in a single phase.

Speaking to reporters in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Mir said there is a need for practical planning instead of merely passing laws or orders. “India is a vast country, and the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is beyond imagination here. We need to approach this issue with practicality,” Mir said.

He added that parliamentarians would provide their input on the matter, and if a consensus is reached, there would be no objection as India operates on democratic principles.

“This proposal originates from those in power. If I were to say, ‘Let’s hold elections for panchayats, sarpanches, councilors, MLAs, and MPs tomorrow,’ is that feasible? First, the ruling party must clarify whether they are prepared to conduct elections in one go in the states where they govern. Who will guarantee stability if a government falls tomorrow due to a no-confidence motion or if elected members pass away in the meantime? Who will conduct those elections then? India operates within a democratic system, and such challenges must be considered. This is not a minor issue,” Mir said.

Responding to a query about the Darbar Move, Mir called it more than a government policy, describing it as a traditional and balancing link between the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. “The relocation of offices to Jammu brought a significant influx of Kashmiris to the region, boosting livelihood opportunities for local residents and addressing unemployment to some extent,” he said.