One Nation, One Election: Benefits, Challenges and Way Forward
(Relevant for General Studies Paper Prelims/Mains)
One Nation, One Election: Benefits, Challenges and Way Forward
“One Nation, One Election” stands as a pivotal reform within the current central government’s agenda. Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, outlined this as a reform proposal in his address to Parliament in January 2018. In his speech, he underscored the citizens’ concerns regarding the recurrent elections held in different parts of the country, highlighting their adverse effects on the nation’s economy and developmental progress. The Prime Minister has consistently expressed strong support for the concept of conducting a single synchronized election throughout the nation. Hence, it’s important to note that this idea did not emerge suddenly; it has been a subject of prior discussion and consideration.
Idea behind One Nation, One Election
- The fundamental concept underlying “One Nation, One Election” is the synchronization of Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across all states to minimize the frequency of elections nationwide.
- This practice was in effect until 1967 but was disrupted due to various factors, including defections, government dismissals, and dissolutions.
- The cycle was initially disrupted in 1959 when the Central government invoked Article 356 to dismiss the Kerala government at that time.
- Subsequently, due to defections and counter-defections between political parties, numerous Legislative Assemblies dissolved after 1960, resulting in separate elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Presently, assembly elections in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha coincide with the Lok Sabha elections.
- The idea of conducting simultaneous elections was initially proposed in 1999 by the Law Commission under the leadership of BP Jeevan Reddy.
Benefits of having One Nation, One Election
- Effective Governance: Implementing “One Nation, One Election” enables the government to focus on governance without the constant interruption of elections. Currently, elections occur somewhere in the country at least every three months, capturing the undivided attention of the nation’s leaders, from the Prime Minister to local panchayat members. This election-centric focus often results in a significant slowdown in administrative functions at various levels, which can impede India’s growth prospects.
- Continuity in Policy-Making: The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect as soon as the Election Commission (EC) announces elections. During this period, no new policy decisions can be made, causing delays in key policy initiatives both at the central and state levels. Additionally, the implementation of ongoing projects can be disrupted as political leaders and government officials become preoccupied with election-related responsibilities, neglecting routine administration.
- Cost Savings in Elections: Frequent elections are a primary driver of political corruption, as substantial funds need to be raised for each election. Simultaneous elections can significantly reduce election-related expenses for political parties by eliminating the need for repeated fundraising efforts. This can relieve public and business communities from the pressure of making election donations multiple times. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, for example, an estimated Rs 60,000 Crores were spent. Additionally, the Election Commission’s costs can be lowered with simultaneous elections, albeit requiring an initial investment in infrastructure development. The same electoral rolls can be utilized for all elections, saving substantial time and resources previously spent on updating them and ensuring a smoother process for citizens concerned about their names missing from the rolls.
- Reduced Deployment of Security Forces: Conducting elections peacefully requires deploying a significant number of police personnel and paramilitary forces, incurring substantial costs and diverting key law enforcement personnel from their primary duties. Simultaneous elections can reduce the need for such massive redeployment, resulting in cost savings and allowing law enforcement to focus on their critical functions.
- Minimized Horse Trading: Holding elections at fixed intervals may reduce the possibility of elected representatives engaging in horse-trading, even with anti-defection laws in place. Simultaneous elections make it more challenging for them to switch parties or form alliances for personal gains, promoting political stability.
- Reduced Populist Measures and Improved State Finances: Frequent elections often push governments to make populist policy decisions to attract voters. While this practice cannot be entirely eliminated, fewer elections mean fewer opportunities to announce costly freebies. Frequent elections have strained the finances of many state governments, and with a reduced election frequency, their financial situations could improve.
- Feasibility Concerns: The proposal for “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) raises significant feasibility concerns in light of Article 83(2) and 172 of the Constitution, which stipulate the five-year tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies unless dissolved earlier. Under Article 356, assemblies can be dissolved earlier in specific circumstances. Therefore, key questions arise regarding the ONOE plan:
- What would happen if the Central or State government collapses mid-tenure?
- Would elections be conducted anew in every State, or would President’s rule be imposed?
- Logistical Challenges: Implementing ONOE would pose substantial logistical challenges related to the availability and security of electronic voting machines, personnel, and other resources. The Election Commission (EC) may encounter difficulties in managing such a massive and synchronized electoral exercise.
- Federalism Concerns: The ONOE concept seemingly contradicts the principle of federalism, as it operates on the premise of the entire nation being “one,” which is at odds with Article 1 of the Constitution, defining India as a “Union of States.”
- Legal Hurdles: The Law Commission, led by Justice S. Chauhan, has reported that conducting simultaneous elections is not feasible within the existing constitutional framework. They argue that the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies would require substantial amendments to facilitate simultaneous polls. Additionally, the commission suggested that ratification from at least 50% of the States would be necessary, which may prove challenging.
- Overshadowing Regional Interests: Recurrent elections in the present format are seen as beneficial in a democracy, as they allow voters to voice their concerns more frequently. Conducting simultaneous elections could lead to the blending of national and State-level issues, potentially diminishing accountability. A study by the IDFC Institute found that there was a 77% chance that the winning political party or alliance would secure victories in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections when held simultaneously, potentially undermining each state’s distinctive demands and needs.
- Cost-Effectiveness Debate: While proponents argue that ONOE would reduce election costs, estimates by the Election Commission and NITI Aayog suggest that conducting all State and parliamentary elections in a five-year cycle would cost the equivalent of Rs. 10 per voter per year. In contrast, synchronized elections would cost the equivalent of Rs. 5 per voter per year. However, in the short term, implementing ONOE would involve higher costs for deploying a significantly larger number of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) devices. Consequently, amending the constitution to save Rs. 5 per voter per year may not be a prudent decision.
- Economic Impact of Election Expenses: Research indicates that election spending by political parties and candidates can benefit the economy and government tax revenues by stimulating private consumption. Therefore, the argument that election expenses are always detrimental may not hold.
What can be done
- Achieving Consensus: Building consensus among all political parties and states regarding the necessity and viability of simultaneous elections can be accomplished through inclusive dialogues, consultations, and deliberations among various stakeholders.
- Constitutional Amendments: To enable simultaneous elections, amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are imperative. This necessitates garnering a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament and securing ratification by at least half of the states.
- Infrastructure and Technological Readiness: Adequate investment in infrastructure and technology is vital for conducting simultaneous elections effectively. This includes provisions for electronic voting machines (EVMs), voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines, polling booths, and the deployment of sufficient security personnel.
- Alignment of Electoral Cycles: To synchronize the electoral cycles of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, constitutional adjustments are required. This may involve either extending or curtailing their terms through a one-time constitutional amendment.
- Legal Framework Establishment: The establishment of a comprehensive legal framework is necessary to address potential scenarios like no-confidence motions, premature dissolution of assemblies, or hung parliaments that may arise during simultaneous elections. It is also advisable to schedule two cycles per year to accommodate cases where a state assembly dissolves prematurely, enabling a re-election in the subsequent cycle.
- Voter Awareness Campaign: Raising awareness among voters about the advantages and challenges associated with simultaneous elections is crucial. Ensuring that voters can exercise their franchise without confusion or inconvenience should be a priority.
The government should not rush into the implementation of ONOE; instead, it should undertake further studies, assess the available data, and seek input from voters, opposition party leaders, and regional parties regarding the execution of this concept. Therefore, India should be allowed to determine whether it wishes to proceed with the “One Nation, One Election” initiative or not.
Sample Question for UPSC Sociology Optional Paper:
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Question: What is the fundamental concept behind “One Nation, One Election” in India?
Answer: The fundamental concept is to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across all states to reduce the frequency of elections nationwide. - Question: How can simultaneous elections lead to effective governance in India?
Answer: Simultaneous elections can allow the government to focus on governance without constant interruptions from elections, thereby promoting effective governance. - Question: What are the challenges associated with the implementation of “One Nation, One Election” in India?
Answer: Challenges include feasibility concerns, logistical challenges, federalism concerns, legal hurdles, and the potential overshadowing of regional interests. - Question: How can consensus be achieved among political parties and states for simultaneous elections?
Answer: Consensus can be achieved through inclusive dialogues, consultations, and deliberations among various stakeholders. -
Question: What are the key steps required for implementing “One Nation, One Election” in India?
Answer: Key steps include constitutional amendments, infrastructure readiness, alignment of electoral cycles, establishing a legal framework, and conducting voter awareness campaigns.
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