Context:
The Union Cabinet has recently given its nod to a significant proposal that sets the stage for conducting simultaneous elections throughout India. This decision will synchronize the electoral schedule for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies, aiming to streamline the electoral process.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Recommendations for Simultaneous Elections
- About ‘one-nation, one- election’
- Historical background of ‘one-nation, one- election’
- Merits of ‘one-nation, one- election’
- Demerits of ‘one-nation, one- election’
Key Recommendations for Simultaneous Elections
- Constitutional Modification: Two bills proposed for amending the Constitution to enable simultaneous elections.
- Bill 1: Proposes simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies without requiring state approval for the amendment.
- Bill 2: Aims to synchronize municipal and panchayat elections with the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, mandating that these local elections occur within 100 days of the national and state elections.
Ratification and Amendments Requirements
- State Ratification: Requires approval from at least half of the states.
- Major Amendments Proposed: Suggests 15 amendments to the Constitution, including:
- Article 82A: The first Bill recommended by the Kovind committee would begin by inserting a new Article 82A into the Constitution.
- Article 82A will establish the process by which the country will move to a system of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
- It has recommended that the power of Parliament under Article 327 should be expanded to include “conduct of simultaneous elections”.
- Article 83 and Article 172: It recommended that under Articles 83(4) and 172(4), the Lok Sabha or state Assembly that replaces the previous one will serve only for the remaining “unexpired term” before being dissolved again once simultaneous elections are conducted as scheduled.
- Article 324A: The committee has suggested the inclusion of a new Article 324A in the Constitution.
- This new article would empower Parliament to make laws to ensure that municipality and panchayat elections are held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
Electoral Management Enhancements
- Consolidated Electoral Roll and ID System: Mandates the Election Commission of India (ECI) to create a single electoral roll and election IDs in collaboration with State Election Commissions.
- Preparatory Measures: Directs the ECI to plan and prepare in advance for manpower, polling personnel, security forces, EVMs/VVPATs, etc., in coordination with State Election Commissions.
Provisions for Emergency Elections
- Procedures for a Hung Parliament or Assembly: Outlines the process for holding elections to complete the unexpired term in cases like a no-confidence motion.
Establishing a Uniform Electoral Cycle
- ‘Appointed Date’ Declaration: Proposes that the President set an ‘Appointed Date’ marking the start of a new electoral cycle after general elections.
- Syncing State Assembly Terms: All state assemblies will align their terms to end with the Lok Sabha’s term, regardless of their original election schedule, ensuring all conclude simultaneously at the next general elections.
Example: The next assembly elections in West Bengal (2026) and Karnataka (2028) would conclude these assemblies’ terms in May or June 2029, coinciding with the next Lok Sabha’s term.
About ‘one-nation, one- election’
- The concept of “One Nation One Election” proposes the synchronization of elections for all states and the Lok Sabha within a five-year span. This entails restructuring the electoral cycle in India so that elections at both the state and central levels align. This would mean voters casting their ballots for members of both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on a single day, concurrently or in phases if necessary.
- Recent developments have seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for “One Nation One Election,” underscoring its significance during the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference.
Historical background of ‘one-nation, one- election’
- Historically, simultaneous elections have occurred in India in the years 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this practice was discontinued following the dissolution of certain Legislative Assemblies in the late 1960s, leading to separate elections for the Centre and states.
- The idea of returning to simultaneous elections was initially suggested in the Election Commission’s 1983 report and was mentioned in the Law Commission’s 1999 report as well. Since 2014, the BJP government has ardently supported the notion.
- In 2018, the Law Commission released a draft report endorsing the implementation of simultaneous elections and suggesting necessary amendments to electoral laws and relevant Articles. The report addressed legal and constitutional challenges linked with conducting simultaneous elections and advocated for constitutional amendments ratified by at least 50% of the states.
Merits of ‘one-nation, one- election’
- Cost Reduction: The concurrent conduct of elections minimizes expenses associated with multiple elections, including time, labor, and financial costs, which arise due to movement of security personnel and diversion of state resources.
- Enhanced Voter Turnout: Simultaneous polls could potentially boost voter participation.
- Better Use of Security Forces: Frequent elections limit the availability of security forces for other crucial tasks.
- Focus on Governance: Continuous elections divert the focus of governance towards short-term electoral gains, sidelining long-term policies and programs.
Demerits of ‘one-nation, one- election’
- Constitutional and Anti-Federal Concerns: Critics argue that the move might impact the federal nature of the Indian political system, as national and state issues differ.
- Accountability: Fixed tenures might lead to a lack of accountability among government officials.
- Difficulty in Synchronization: Maintaining synchronized elections is challenging, especially given the likelihood of government assemblies losing confidence.
- Tampering with Democracy: Altering the election system could impact people’s democratic will.
-Source: Indian Express
