One Nation – One Election

One Nation – One Election

Context •         In 2024, March, A High level Committee headed by the former President Sri Ram Nath Kovind, submitted its report on One Nation, One Election- Simultaneous Elections core to Aspirational India.
Committee proposal: Two-step approach to lead to the simultaneous elections.

1.     Simultaneous elections for the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies.

2.     Elections to the Municipalities and the Panchayats

è Local elections will be held within 100 days of national and state elections.

Other recommendations 1.     There should be a single electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for use in elections to all the three tiers of Government.

2.     Simultaneous elections should be in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of India and would require bare minimum amendments to the Constitution.

Advantages of simultaneous elections 1.     Enhancing transparency in elections

2.     Promoting inclusivity of electorate

3.     Contributing to ease and confidence of the voters.

4.     Spur development process

5.     Improves social cohesion

6.     Deepens the foundations of our democratic rubric

7.     Helps to realize the aspirations of India, that is Bharat.

Elections in Telangana 1.     Assembly Elections – 2023

2.     Lok sabha elections – 2024

3.     Panchayat elections – 2024

4.     Municipal elections – 20226

5.     Byelections – throughout the quinquennial

Elections across pan India –

 

1.     Lok Sabha elections – 2024

2.     Delhi & Bihar elections – 2025

3.     Assam, Kerala, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal –2026

4.     Presidential and Vice presidential elections – 2027

5.     Seven Assembly elections – Goa, Uttarakhand, Punjab, UP, Gujarat & Haryana – 2027

6.     Ten Assembly elections 2028

è biennial Rajya Sabha elections and Legislative council elections.

Recommendations for holding simultaneous elections:
Law Commission of India – 170th Report 1999 •         Simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
Parliamentary standing committee recommendation 2015 •         An alternative and practicable method of holding simultaneous elections should be adopted.

(Parliamentary Standing committee on Personnel, Public grievances, Law and justice79th report 2015)

President of India, Vice president and the PM •         Strongly pitched their support for holding simultaneous elections at public forums.

 

Meaning of the term simultaneous elections:
Broader level •         It is the synchronisation of the elections of lok sabha and state legislative assemblies.
Micro level •         It is the synchronisation of the elections of lok sabha and state legislative assemblies and local elections
Historical perspective:
1952 to 1967 elections were simultaneous: General elections held in the following years had simultaneous elections

1.     1952

2.     1957

3.     1962

4.     1967.

Disruption from 1968 Reasons:

1.     Premature dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969.

2.     Fourth lok sabha itself was dissolved prematurely in 1970

Duration of various lok Sabhas: 1.     First, Second and Third Lok Sabha enjoyed full five year terms.

2.     Fourth lok sabha terminated prematurely in 1970 and fresh election was held in 1971.

3.     The term of Fifth Lok Sabha was extended till 1977 due to emergency of 1975 -77

4.     The 8th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th  Lok Sabha could complete their full five year terms.

5.     Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Lok Sabha was dissolved prematurely.

Disruptions in assemblies Various State Assemblies also faced similar issues over a period of time.

Reasons:

1.     Premature dissolution of assembly

2.     Imposing president’s rule.

As a result of all such premature dissolutions and extension, the cycle of simultaneous elections has been firmly disrupted.

Experience of Other Countries
South Africa:

 

•         Elections to national as well as provincial legislatures are held simultaneously for five years and municipal elections are held two years later.
Sweden: •         Election to the national legislature (Riksdag) and provincial legislature/county council (Landsting) and local bodies/municipal Assemblies (Kommunfullmaktige) are held on a fixed date i.e. second Sunday in September for four years.
USA 1.     In America, the election day is fixed.

2.     After every 4 years, the first Tuesday, falling after the first Monday, in the month of November, is the election date.

3.     The days for holding elections for the House of Representatives, and the Senate are also fixed between the 2nd and the 8th of November.

Constitutional provisions for holding simultaneous elections
Need for amendment several provisions of the constitution a.       The term of lok sabha and state legislature is five years (Article 83)

b.      The Term of the legislative Assembly is five years (Article 172)

c.       Both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies do not have a fixed term and can be dissolved earlier than their normal terms. (Article 85 and 174)

d.      Tenure of the House cannot be extended beyond 5 years except in emergency

e.      Election Commission of India is empowered to notify elections to both Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies six months prior to the end of the normal terms of the Houses.

f.        These articles are required to be amended to hold simultaneous elections.

Problems with the existing system of separate elections:
1.     Development programs are obstructed

2.     Massive expenditure

Example:

a.      17th Lok sabha – 65,000 crore

b.     18th Lok Sabha – 1,35,000 crore

3.     Entire administration is focussed on elections. It disrupts routine administration.

4.     Normal public life of the people is disrupted due to political campaign.

5.     Narrow parochial sentiments increases

Example: Casteism etc.

Arguments against simultaneous elections: 1.     Operationally not feasible

2.     Synchronization is challenging

3.     No constitutional solution to the premature dissolution of the house.

4.     Election logistics are difficult to be arranged.

5.     Impact on the voter behaviour

6.     Voters will focus only on national issues but not the regional and local issues.

7.     It benefits the national parties.

8.     Accountability of the government does not exist

9.     Frequent elections creates circular economy

Way  forward 1.     To avoid premature dissolution of lok sabha or legislative assembly, it may be provided that –

a.      No confidence motion should not be presented for two years once the government comes to power.

b.     Along with no confidence motion, a confidence motion to select the alternative government should be presented

2.     Despite this arrangement if the house is prematurely dissolved, the reminder period is less than one year. So for the reminder period President’s governance may be implemented.

3.     If the reminder period is long, elections should be held to the house for the reminder period only.

Conclusion Any reform in the electoral system would be stepping stone towards matured democracy.
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