One Nation One Election | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The concept of "One Nation, One Election" advocates for the simultaneous conduct of elections across the country, although it doesn't mandate that all elections must take place on a single day. Instead, they can be organized in phases, much like the current practice. In September 2023, a committee chaired by former President Ramnath Kovind was convened to assess the feasibility of simultaneous elections. On March 14th, 2024, the committee recommended conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections concurrently.

Understanding "One Nation, One Election"

• Simultaneous elections entail holding elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies concurrently, once every five years.
• The impetus for simultaneous elections gained traction following support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Background

• Simultaneous elections were commonplace in India during the initial two decades post-Independence up to 1967.
• However, the dissolution of certain Assemblies in 1968 and 1969, followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, disrupted the practice of simultaneous elections.

Pros of Implementing Simultaneous Polls:

• Significant reductions in financial and administrative expenses, as political parties expend substantial resources on election campaigning.
• In the 1951 elections, 53 political parties contested with declared expenses of 11 crores. By contrast, in the 2019 elections, 610 political parties contested, with expenses reportedly reaching 60,000 crores according to ADR.
• Enabling the government to focus on constructive work, as the prolonged imposition of the model code of conduct during elections often hampers developmental and welfare activities.
• Allowing ruling parties to concentrate on legislation and governance rather than perpetually being in campaign mode.
• Mitigating the strain on state and district-level administrative and security apparatuses, which are occupied with conducting elections twice within a five-year period under the current system.
• Reducing disruptions to the education sector, as a significant number of teachers are involved in the electoral process during elections, leading to potential drawbacks in educational activities.

Cons of Implementing Simultaneous Polls:

• Constitutional Amendments Required: Implementing simultaneous elections in India necessitates numerous amendments to the Constitution of India.
• Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution stipulate the five-year tenure for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies respectively.
• Provisions under Article 83(2) and Article 172(1) allow for extending the term of the Houses during a state of emergency, which further complicates the process.
• Article 85(2)(b) grants the President the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha, while a similar provision exists for the dissolution of State Legislative Assemblies under Article 174(2)(b).
• The Representation of the People Act 1951, governing election procedures, also requires amendments.
• Threat to Federal Character: Simultaneous elections pose a threat to the federal structure of our democracy.
• Large national parties would benefit from the economies of scale of one massive election every five years, potentially marginalizing regional parties.
• It raises concerns regarding the constitutional framework.

Recommendations:

• The Law Commission of India and the parliamentary standing committee on Law and Justice have recommended various approaches to simultaneous elections.
• The Election Commission has expressed in-principle support for the idea.

Challenges:

• Political parties exhibit division over the concept of simultaneous elections during consultations with the Law Commission of India.
• The arbitrary extension or curtailment of the tenure of a House raises legal questions.
• Simultaneous elections may undermine federalism and representative democracy.
• The core issue lies in the parliamentary system of government, wherein accountability and the possibility of government dissolution before completing its term present complexities.
• Political consensus is imperative due to the necessity for constitutional amendments.

Way Forward

• "One India One Election" could be a positive change if executed with careful consideration of administrative and security needs.
• A specialized group comprising constitutional experts, think tanks, government officials, and political party representatives should collaborate to devise appropriate implementation strategies.
• Transforming elections, celebrated as festivals in India, into a nationwide "Maha-Festival" occurring once every five years requires meticulous planning and execution.