Panel on One Nation, One Election

News Source: The Hindu
The panel on ‘One Nation, One Election’, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has invited suggestions from the public for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country.

About the news:

Since constituted in September 2023, the committee has held two meetings.
It had written to political parties seeking their views on a “mutually agreed date” to discuss holding national, State and local polls simultaneously.

The committee has also heard the views of the Law Commission on simultaneous polls.
The committee said that the suggestions posted on the committee’s website or sent by e-mail by January 15 would be considered.

The Terms of reference of the committee: The committee is tasked with examining and recommending amendments to the Constitution, Representation of the People Act, 1950, and 1951, as well as any other laws or rules that would require such amendments for simultaneous elections to the House of the PeopleState Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities, and Panchayats, while considering the existing framework.

What mean by Simultaneous Election:

  • The “Simultaneous election or One Nation, One Election” in India aims to synchronise elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies. The idea is to hold these elections simultaneously, on a single day or within a specific time frame.
  • Generally, in India, the general elections to elect the members of Parliament and state assembly polls are held separately when the incumbent Government’s tenure ends, or it gets dissolved for some reason.

Constitutional provisions for holding simultaneous elections:

  • In the 2018 report, the Law Commission headed by Justice B S Chauhan held that simultaneous elections could not be held within the existing framework of the Constitution.
  • These could be held together “through appropriate amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

The articles that would require Amendment are:

  • Article 83 (2): The Lok Sabha’s term should not exceed five years but may be dissolved sooner.
  • Article 85 (2) (B): A dissolution ends the very life of the existing House and a new House is constituted after general elections.
  • Article 172 (1): A state assembly, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years.
  • Article 174 (2) (B): The Governor has the power to dissolve the assembly on the aid and advice of the cabinet. The governor can apply his mind when the advice comes from a Chief Minister whose majority is in doubt.
  • Article 356: Imposition of President’s Rule in states.

Simultaneous Elections in Past:

  • In India, simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha (House of The People) and Vidhan Sabhas (State Legislative Assemblies) were held in the years 1951-5219571962 and 1967.
  • Thereafter, however, the schedule could not be maintained, and the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas have still not been realigned.

Views on Simultaneous Election:

The Election Commission of India (ECI): 

  • In 1983, in its Annual Report, the ECI recommended holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This recommendation stemmed from several compelling reasons:
  • Significant cost savings by avoiding the substantial administrative expenses incurred during separate Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections.
  • The entire administrative set-up throughout the country slows down considerably during the Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, and all other normal functions and activities of the Government, including developmental work, are pushed to the background.

NITI Aayog:

  • In 2017, the NITI Aayog released a paper titled ‘Election Time Table’, discussing the feasibility of simultaneous elections. 
  • NITI Aayog backed the idea of simultaneous State and National polls to remove impediments to governancepolicy-making, and developmental activities.
  • It noted that there has not been a year without an election to either a State Assembly, Lok Sabha, or both in over 30 years. It adversely impacts both tangible and intangible within the larger sphere of governance.

Significance of One Nation, One Election:

  • It enables the government to concentrate on governance and the continuation of policies once the elections are over.
  • Election expenses of political parties can be reduced drastically if elections are held simultaneously. According to a report, during 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Rs 60, 000 Crores were spent.
  • Reduced Freebies and Improved State Finances
  • Reducing horse-trading by elected representatives, which remains a concern even with anti-defection law in place. Holding elections at fixed intervals can make it harder for them to switch parties or form alliances for personal gains.

Challenges of One Nation, One Election:

  • It will pose logistical challenges in terms of availability and security of electronic voting machines, personnel and other resources. EC may face difficulties in managing such a massive exercise
  • Election Expenses aren’t always Bad: There is economic research to suggest that such election spending by parties and candidates actually benefits the economy and the government’s tax revenues by boosting private consumption and serving as a stimulus.
  • Overshadowing the Regional interests: The present form of recurrent elections can be seen as beneficial in a democracy as it allows voters to have their voices heard more frequently. As the underlying issues of national and State polls are different, the present framework prevents the blending of issues, ensuring greater accountability.
  • A 2015 study by the IDFC Institute found “a 77% chance that the winning political party or alliance will win both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in that state when held simultaneously”. – undermining the distinctive demand and needs of each state.
  • Against the Idea of Federalism: The idea of ONOE does not square with the concept of ‘federalism’ as it is established on the notion that the entire nation is “one” contradicting the content of Article 1 which envisages India as a “Union of States”.
  • In the short term, simultaneous elections will increase the costs for deploying far larger numbers of EVMs and VVPATs

Way Forward:

  • Whether simultaneous elections should be held in India or not is a complex decision that involves constitutionallogistical, and political considerations, and any decision should be made after thorough deliberation and consensus-building among various stakeholders, including political parties, State Governments, and the ECI. 
  • On a pilot basis, an attempt can be made to club as many Assembly elections as possible to be held together or with the Lok Sabha elections in one go and hope that the verdicts favour formation of a stable government

Mains PYQ

Q. ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (UPSC 2017)

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