The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th December 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The Missing Spotlight on Urban Local Government Polls

Why in News?

Urban local governments (ULGs) function as units of decentralised local self-governance, and are responsible for delivering civic services at the first mile, ensuring quality of life for citizens. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced in 1992 to codify this role of ULGs. Over 30 years later, the objectives of this landmark amendment are yet to be realised. The ongoing discourse on simultaneous elections, popularly known as One Nation One Election (ONOE), is a unique opportunity to spotlight a basic requirement of local democracy, i.e., elections to ULGs — a consideration that has generally been absent in deliberations on the ONOE.

• The concept of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) suggests that elections for the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and all Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) elections should be held together every five years. 
• This practice of holding simultaneous elections was seen in 1957, 1962, and 1967, but it was later stopped. 
• The Law Commission and the Parliamentary Standing Committeehave both recommended the idea of ONOE because it could lead to: 
  • Saving money on election costs
  • Improving government focus
  • Enhancing good governance
• To implement ONOE, several steps need to be taken, including: 
  • Making necessary Constitutional Amendments
  • Purchasing more Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
  • Addressing issues related to the federal structure of the country

Background Of One Nation One Election

• India began conducting simultaneous elections right after gaining independence, starting with the first election in 1952.
• In this initial election, voting took place for both the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies at the same time.
• This method of holding elections together continued in subsequent elections held in 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• However, in 1971, elections were held separately for the States and the Parliament for the first time.
• The change occurred because the Parliamentary elections were moved to an earlier date due to political reasons by Indira Gandhi.

About One Nation One Election

• The concept of One Nation One Election (referred to as ONOE) suggests that elections for the Lok Sabha and all Vidhan Sabhas should take place at the same time, every five years.
• Over the past 30 years, there has not been a single year without elections for either a State Assembly or the Lok Sabha, or both.
• This continuous cycle of elections creates challenges, including the misuse of State resources.
• Holding elections frequently can lead to various problems for the government and its functions.

Reasons for One Nation, One Election:

• Good Governance: Allow both Union and State governments to focus entirely on governing rather than campaigning for elections.
• Conserve Resources: Holding elections at the same time will help the Election Commission of India (ECI) plan better and use resources more effectively, saving government funds.
• Convenience: Voters can cast their votes for both Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections all in one day.
• Recommended by Experts:
  • The Law Commission of India in its 170th Report from 1999 suggested this approach.
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice highlighted its importance for good governance in its 79th Report in 2015.
• Curbing Policy Paralysis: During elections, the Model Code of Conduct is enforced, which prevents the government from announcing new projects, development work, or policy decisions until after the elections conclude.
• Reduced Freebies and Improved State Finances: Frequent elections often lead governments to make decisions based on political gain to attract voters, which can negatively impact state finances.

Challenges in Introducing ONOE

• Legal Challenge: A significant change to the Constitution is needed because currently, if there is no majority government, new elections can happen anytime.
• Simultaneous Elections:To implement the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) policy, several changes must be made:
  • Constitutional Changes: Adjustments are necessary to the election rules in Part XV of the Constitution.
  • Duration of Terms: Amend Articles 83 and 172 to ensure that the Parliament and State Assemblies last for 5 years.
  • Parliamentary Sessions: Revise Article 85, which allows the President to call Parliamentary sessions, ensuring they do not exceed a 6-month gap.
• Voting Infrastructure: There is a need to enhance voting facilities by acquiring a large number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for simultaneous voting.
• Federal Structure Concerns: Usually, a chief minister can suggest early elections if there is no majority in the state. However, under ONOE, only the Union government would control the election schedule for all states.
• High Initial Costs: Implementing the ONOE scheme will result in a significant one-time expense for the Election Commission of India.
• Political Instability: If there is a hung parliament in state assemblies, it could lead to mid-term elections.
• Threat to Political Diversity: Smaller independent candidates may struggle against larger political parties. Big national and regional parties can dominate the campaigns and resources, overshadowing smaller entities.
• Job Creation from Elections: Critics argue that frequent elections have created informal job opportunities, providing economic support to many. The ONOE implementation may reduce these jobs.
• Voter Behavior Impact:Some believe that Indian voters may not be educated or mature enough to separate their voting choices for state and national elections. This could result in:
  • National Issues: Influencing how voters decide in state elections.
  • State Issues: Affecting voting behavior in national elections.
• High Level Committee on ONOE: The Central Government established a committee on 01.09.2023, led by Shri Ramnath Kovind, to consult key stakeholders and tackle challenges in introducing ONOE. A website, www.onoe.gov.in, has been created as a resource for all relevant information on ONOE. The Law Commission is also being consulted regarding constitutional amendment issues.

Conclusion

• The idea of “One Nation, One Election” means holding elections for both the Central government and State legislatures at the same time.
• This approach aims to simplify the election process and lessen the demands on administrative resources.
• However, implementing this plan comes with challenges, as it requires agreement from all stakeholders before a new system can be put in place.
• The One Nation, One Election concept affects federalism and could limit the visibility of smaller parties and independent candidates.
• Despite this, there have been instances where voters have supported independent candidates in the past.
• By adopting this system, India could experience better governance, as political parties would not constantly be campaigning.
• This would lead to more efficient use of taxpayer money since elections would happen only once.
• Additionally, the tendency to offer freebies just before elections would decrease, allowing for spending based on policy rather than last-minute incentives.
• Therefore, One Nation, One Election is crucial for the process of nation building.
• To help Indian voters understand this change, the Election Commission can launch campaigns that explain the differences between State and National elections.
• These campaigns can clarify what issues pertain to State matters versus National matters, helping voters make better-informed choices.