The idea of "One Nation, One Election" is definitely something the Parliament has had a lot of debate on, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned it in his 2024 Independence Day speech. This proposal aims to hold all elections- both for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, at the same time. Supporters believe this could make the electoral process simpler, save money, and increase voter turnout. However, there are many questions about whether this idea can actually work and what it would mean for a democracy like India.
What Does "One Nation, One Election" Mean?
The main goal of "One Nation, One Election" is to have all elections happen on the same day or within a short period. Currently, elections in India are held at different times for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which can lead to frequent voting and campaigning throughout the year. For example, the 2014 general elections cost around ₹3,870 crore, showing how expensive these repeated elections can be. By holding simultaneous elections, supporters argue that India could save a lot of money and allow elected officials to focus more on governing rather than campaigning.
But, there are challenges and unanswered questions we need to address before that.
Logistical issues
A committee led by former President Ramnath Kovind suggested that in the first phase, elections for the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies should be held together. In the second phase, elections for Municipalities and Panchayats could take place within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. However, this raises some logistical challenges.
India's diverse population and regional issues mean that local concerns might get lost in the national conversation during simultaneous voting. Critics worry that this could skew election results and weaken regional parties. The EC has even estimated that Rs 9,284.15 crore will be needed for EVMs and VVPATs for simultaneous elections, with replacements every 15 years adding to the cost.
Heavy constitutional amendments
Implementing "One Nation, One Election" would require significant changes to the Constitution. Right now, the Constitution guarantees five-year terms for state assemblies "unless dissolved sooner." If assemblies were dissolved early to align with Lok Sabha elections, it could violate this principle. Legal experts warn that changing these rules could create problems for India's federal structure and weaken democratic accountability. On top of that, the parliament will need to amend the entire Constitution and Representation of the People Act, 1951 & a Constitution Amendment Bill will need to be introduced.
The report suggests extending or curtailing state assemblies once for alignment with Lok Sabha and filling state vacancies with interim governments or mid-term polls.
Impact on political accountability
Justice Ajit Prakash Shah has raised concerns that having fixed election cycles might reduce political accountability. With fewer elections, political parties may focus less on good governance and more on short-term projects aimed at winning votes right before elections. Currently, having regular elections allows voters to hold their representatives accountable more often.
Some argue it would put regional and smaller parties at a disadvantage, ignoring local issues. But, the report counters that regional parties can still highlight local concerns effectively.
Public opinion and expert views
A high-level committee’s report on "Feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies" from December 2015 received over 20,000 responses & suggested:
- Lok Sabha terms should have fixed start and end dates.
- No-confidence motions should be paired with confidence motions for a new PM candidate.
- Start with simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, then local body elections within 100 days.
- Extend or curtail state assemblies once for alignment with Lok Sabha.
- Fill state vacancies with interim governments or mid-term polls.
- Schedule by-elections in two 1.5-month windows annually.
However, political analysts caution against rushing into this change without addressing important issues related to representation and federalism. Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi pointed out that while there are benefits to saving costs and streamlining governance, the risks to India's diverse political landscape should not be ignored.
What’s next?
The Kovind panel has not yet set a timeline for rolling out simultaneous elections but has suggested forming an 'Implementation Group' to explore how to make it happen. If successful, India would join a few other countries like South Africa and Sweden that conduct simultaneous elections. The challenge still remains of getting agreement from all political parties and ensuring compliance with constitutional rules will be crucial for this proposal's success.
As discussions continue, it’s important to consider both the potential benefits of "One Nation, One Election" and its impact on democracy in India.
The big question is: Is this approach a smart move towards better governance or a risk to India's rich democratic traditions?
Comments