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One Nation One Election – Explained, pointwise

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• 1 What are the arguments in favour of ‘One Nation One Election’?
• 2 What are the arguments against ‘one nation one election’?
• 3 What are the challenges in the implementation of One Nation One election?
• 4 What are the recommendations of various committees formed on ‘one nation one elections?
• 5 What should be the way forward on ‘one nation one election’?

The Union government has constituted a committee under the headship of former President of India Ram Nath Kovind to look into the feasibility of ‘one nation one election’.

Over the years PM Modi  has strongly pushed for ‘one nation one election’ . The Law Commission also released a draft report examining the legal-constitutional aspects related to the proposal. At present,   elections for state assemblies and the Lok Sabha occur separately  either at the end of a five-year term for the incumbent government or in the event of dissolution due to various factors.

What is the One nation one election?

Definition- One nation one election refers to the idea of holding simultaneous polls for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha  instead of separate and continuous elections.

What are the arguments in favour of ‘One Nation One Election’?

Reduction of Financial burden on state exchequer – Continuous election cycles are a financial burden on the state exchequer. ‘One Nation One election’ will reduce the overall expenditure on political process by ECI.  E.g. The 2014 Lok Sabha polls cost Rs 3,870 cr to the exchequer and the 2015 Bihar elections alone cost the exchequer 300 cr. ECI has estimated the cost of ‘one nation one election’ to be around Rs.4500 cr.

Better utilisation of financial resources by political parties-  Simultaneous elections will reduce the campaign expenditure  of political parties and the candidates. This will help   smaller regional parties  in better management of financial resources.

Reduced duration of ‘model code of conduct’- Frequent imposition  of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during polls stalls all development work for months at a time. It will reduce   ‘policy paralysis’  that results from the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct during election time.

Focus on governance instead of being in ‘election mode’- One nation one election” will ensure continuity   of policies and programmes  of the central and state governments. It will reduce disruption of normal public life as political rallies will be kept to a minimum. It will improve the delivery of essential services to public.

Increase of administrative efficiency- During elections the entire state machinery as well as high-ranking officers from other States who also deputed as observers in the poll-bound State focuses on conducting a free and fair electoral process which impacts the everyday administration because officials are engaged in polling duties. ‘One nation one election’ will increase efficiency of administrative system.

Improvement of Internal security-   Frequent   Deployment of security forces  during elections is use a considerable size of armed police forces which can otherwise be better deployed for better management of internal security problems like naxalism.

Reduced use of ‘black money’-  Elections involve considerable expenditure by prospective candidates most of which is black money. ‘One nation one election’ will reduce the circulation of black money in economy.

Reduction of populist measures- Frequent elections forces the political class  to think in terms of immediate electoral gains  rather than focus on long-term programs and policies  which impacts the focus of governance and policymaking. Simultaneous elections would reduce the populist measures.

Increase of voter turnout- According to the Law Commission, simultaneous elections will increase voter turnout because it will be  easier for people to cast  many votes all at once.

Improvement in social harmony- Frequent elections perpetuate caste, religion, and communal issues across the country as elections are polarising events that have accentuated casteism, communalism, and corruption. Simultaneous elections would reduce the fault lines between communities created due to multiple elections.

What are the arguments against ‘one nation one election’?

Reduced Accountability – Regular elections ensure that the government is under an obligation to listen to the will of the people regularly. Regular state elections serve as feedback mechanism  for the political parties. Critics argue that if the government is assured of a fixed term it might lead to autocratic tendencies.

Undermining of Federal Power –  In recent years, issues affecting the states have gained political value, which is demonstrated with more regional parties forming state governments like DMK in Tamil Nadu, TDP in Andhra Pradesh & Biju Janata Dal in Odisha. Due to simultaneous elections union elections might overshadow the state election .

Disadvantage for regional parties- Critics argue that simultaneous election would hamper the prospects of regional parties as national issues would dominate the political narrative instead of local issues . Regional parties would not be able to compete against national parties in both money and election strategies.

Against Spirit of Democracy: Critics argue that forcing simultaneous elections  is against democracy because trying to force an artificial cycle of elections  and restricting the choice  for voters is not correct.

Influences choices and electoral behavior- Voters may vote for the same party  both at the national and state level which might put regional parties at a disadvantage. According to research report by IDFC Institute if elections are held simultaneously, there’s a 77 percent likelihood of voters favoring the same political party or alliance for both state assemblies and the Lok Sabha. This figure drops to 61 percent if elections are held six months apart.

Threat to internal security-  Deployment of heavy security forces for simultaneous elections is a logistical challenge and might endanger the internal security in the country.

Tampering with the democratic will- The present system has been consciously chosen by our forefathers to uphold the will of democracy by providing for regular elections so that people can express their will through the right to vote . Modifying the election system would mean tampering with the power of people to express their democratic will.

What are the challenges in the implementation of One Nation One election?

Constitutional and legal challenges-’One nation one election’ will require change in the Constitution and other legal frameworks. Simultaneous elections would require amendments in five articles of the Constitution – Article 83  (relating to the duration of Houses of Parliament), Article 85  (relating to dissolution of the Lok Sabha by the President), Article 172  (relating to the duration of the state legislatures), Article 174  (relating to dissolution of the state legislatures) and Article 356 (relating to the imposition of the President’s Rule in states). This requires constitutional amendments with 50% ratification of states  which is challenging for the government.

Syncing the terms of various state assemblies with Lok Sabha- The terms of different state governments are ending on separate dates and years. To hold simultaneous elections, the Centre will have to make some states agree to curtail the terms of their houses  while others to extend theirs. Curtailment and extension of assembly duration is a major challenge.

Judicial Review Challenge- The Use of President rule under 356 to dissolve the state assemblies has been held by the SC to be a part of the judicial review in the S.R. Bommai (1994) and the Rameswar Prasad (2006). Hence, the premature dissolution of state assemblies for ensuring simultaneous election, would attract judicial review.

Local body Election challenge- Local government is a State subject (seventh schedule, List II). All the State Legislatures have passed separate Panchayati Raj Acts and Municipal Acts, fixing the tenure of these bodies as five years, as per Article 243(E) and 243 (U) respectively. Ensuring one nation one election  would require changes in 56 sets of legal provisions.

Logistical challenge – Arranging of around  30 lakh electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines  and deploying central forces around the country is a major logistical challenge in the implementation of simultaneous election.

What are the recommendations of various committees formed on ‘one nation one elections?

Election Commission Report in 1983 proposed to bring back simultaneous elections.

170 th  Law Commission in 1999  also advocated simultaneous elections.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee  on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, headed by E M Sudarsana Natchiappan in 2015 recommended simultaneous elections.

What should be the way forward on ‘one nation one election’?

India needs to find innovative solutions to ensure that we can hold simultaneous elections like-

Coupling the ‘no-confidence motion’ along with the ‘vote of confidence’ in an alternative government- This vote of confidence will also mention a leader to head it. After passing both of them (no-confidence motion and vote of confidence), the alternate government will head the government for the remaining term. This will help to maintain the fixed term and can ensure proper simultaneous election cycle.

Categorising  states based on proximity to the next general election and having one round of State Assembly polls with the next Lok Sabha election and another round for the remaining States 30 months (2.5 Years) later can also help in ensuring simultaneous election.

Simultaneous election is an idea whose time has come . However, since the issue is concerned with the federal structure of the Constitution, it needs to be discussed and debated properly across the political spectrum to assuage the concerns of regional parties.  This will make it easier to implement the idea in the country.

If India opts for ‘one nation, one election’, the world’s biggest democracy will set another unique example as India will be the 4 th  country in the world after Belgium, Sweden and South Africa which conduct simultaneous election.

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One Nation, One Election: Benefits, Challenges, and the Way Forward | Sociology UPSC | Triumph IAS

Table of Contents

One Nation, One Election: Benefits, Challenges and Way Forward

(relevant for general   studies paper prelims/mains).

“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:

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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One Nation, One Election: Prospects and Challenges

• Backgrounder

The idea of one nation, one election is against federalism

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: S.R. Bommai case

Mains level: potential consequences of One Nation, One Election

Central Idea:

The article discusses the formation and potential implications of the ‘High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election’ set up by the Union Government in September 2023. It delves into the reasons for and against the concept, focusing on the financial aspects and governance downtime. The author raises legal concerns, particularly regarding the constitutional autonomy of states, linguistic bias in consultations, and the role of the Election Commission. The looming possibility of a constitutional showdown in the Supreme Court is emphasized, drawing parallels with the U.S. case of Baker v. Carr.

Key Highlights:

• Formation of the ‘High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election’ chaired by former President Ramnath Kovind.
• Reasons supporting the concept include reducing election expenses and minimizing governance downtime caused by the Model Code of Conduct.
• Opposition argues that democratic processes, including elections and the Model Code of Conduct, are essential for a functioning democracy.
• Legal concerns raised, citing potential violation of state autonomy and constitutional provisions, particularly as stated in the S.R. Bommai case.
• The linguistic bias in consultations, with the committee’s website available only in English and Hindi, is highlighted.
• The Election Commission’s seemingly passive role and lack of involvement in the process are questioned.

Key Challenges:

• Constitutional and legal concerns regarding the potential alteration of the duration of State Legislative Assemblies.
• Linguistic bias in consultations, limiting the inclusivity of the decision-making process.
• Potential compromise of the Election Commission’s independence and autonomy.
• Balancing financial considerations with the fundamental principles of democracy.
• The challenge of ensuring a fair and unbiased decision-making process amid political interests.

Key Terms and Phrases:

• One Nation, One Election
• High Level Committee
• Model Code of Conduct
• S.R. Bommai case
• Constitutional autonomy
• Governance downtime
• Baker v. Carr moment
• Linguistic bias
• Election Commission
• Constitutional showdown

Key Quotes:

• “The cost of holding free and fair elections… is a price that can never be high.”
• “The introduction of a common election process would necessarily require alteration of the existing duration of a number of State Legislatures.”
• “Similar to demonetisation, when the Reserve Bank of India was kept in the dark, the Election Commission seems to be a silent spectator.”

Key Statements:

• “The Supreme Court would be called upon to determine the ultimate fate of Indian democracy.”
• “The potential alteration of the duration of State Legislatures would be anti-federal and unconstitutional.”
• “The stage is set for a constitutional showdown in the not-too-distant future.”

Key Examples and References:

• Baker v. Carr case in the U.S. as a reference for the potential role of the Supreme Court in a constitutional showdown.
• Comparison with demonetization to highlight concerns about the Election Commission’s apparent lack of involvement.

Key Facts and Data:

• The estimated cost of the 2014 general elections was ₹3,870 crore.
• The High Level Committee’s website is available only in English and Hindi.

Critical Analysis:

The article critically examines the potential consequences of One Nation, One Election, questioning its feasibility and highlighting legal and constitutional concerns. It underscores the importance of democratic processes and the need for the Supreme Court to play a pivotal role in preserving India’s constitutional architecture.

Way Forward:

• Ensure comprehensive and inclusive consultations in multiple languages to address linguistic bias.
• Strengthen the autonomy of the Election Commission and ensure its active participation in decision-making processes.
• Balance financial considerations with the preservation of democratic principles.
• Address legal concerns, particularly those related to state autonomy and constitutional provisions.
• Encourage public discourse to raise awareness and engage citizens in the decision-making process.

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One Nation, One Election – wrong problem, bad solution

Prelims level: Election- Constitutional provisions

Mains level: One nation, one election plan, advantages and concerns and challenges and federalism

What’s the news?

• The Center has taken a significant step towards implementing the One Nation, One Election concept by forming a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Central idea

• The recently concluded special session of Parliament has brought into focus the idea of One Nation, One Election as a means to address the challenges posed by frequent elections in India. While this proposal has gained attention, it requires thorough examination and data-driven deliberation before any decisive steps are taken.

What is the ONOE plan?

• Concept : The ONOE plan aims to synchronize the timing of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across all states in India to reduce the frequency of election cycles nationwide.
• After the enforcement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, the first-ever general elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies occurred simultaneously in 1951–1952.
• This practice continued for the following three Lok Sabha elections until 1967, streamlining the election process.
• In 1959, the cycle was disrupted as the Central government invoked Article 356 of the Constitution, leading to the dismissal of the Kerala government due to a perceived failure of constitutional machinery.
• Subsequent to 1960, defections and counter-defections among political parties led to the dissolution of several state legislative assemblies.
• This fragmentation resulted in separate election cycles for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• Current Scenario : Presently, only specific states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha conduct their assembly polls concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections.

Critical analysis

Excessive Expenditure: A Questionable Concern

• Rising Election Costs: The cost of elections has been steadily increasing. In 2019, the expenditure for the general elections was about Rs 9,000 crore, averaging about Rs 100 per voter.
• Political Party Spending: Political parties spent nearly Rs 3,000 crore during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, with an estimated Rs 50,000 crore informally spent. Addressing this informal expenditure is a primary concern.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making : The absence of comprehensive data on total public expenditure for separate versus simultaneous elections limits our understanding. To make informed decisions, a meticulous analysis of costs and potential savings is imperative.

Diversion of Duty: A Matter of Debate

• Essential Responsibility: While election duty is considered essential for security forces, it’s also a privilege for civilian officials.
• Lack of Statistical Data: The absence of statistical data showing the exact number of days dedicated to election duties for simultaneous versus separate elections hinders informed decision-making.

Disruption in Development: A Misconception

• Model Code of Conduct (MCC): The MCC primarily restricts certain categories of public expenditure during elections, not all development work.
• Need for Data: The lack of data demonstrating the extent of disruption in development work is a crucial gap in the argument against simultaneous elections.
• Historical Perspective: Flexibility in Democracy

Historical context reveals flexibility in Indian democracy:

• 15 Years of Simultaneous Elections: From 1951–52 to 1967, elections were held simultaneously for 15 years without a specific constitutional provision.
• Preserving Political Freedom: Imposing limits on election timing could curb political parties’ freedom to express a lack of confidence or engage in democratic processes.

Local autonomy vs. centralization

• Local Impact: State-level elections primarily concern local voters and leaders and should not unduly affect voters in other states or the central government.
• Centralization of Politics: Centralized campaigning diminishes the focus on local governance, weakening local democratic institutions and representation.

Urgent Priorities for Reform

• Pressing Issues Abound : India faces a multitude of pressing issues, from natural disasters to public agitations. These challenges can disrupt normal governance and require immediate attention.
• Nature’s Fury : Natural disasters, such as heavy rainfall or hazardous air quality, often paralyze regions and demand swift government response to alleviate suffering and manage the aftermath.
• Educational Disruptions : Factors like heatwaves or international events like the G20 meetings can lead to the closure of educational institutions, affecting students’ routines and demanding educational policy adjustments.
• Protracted Agitations : Protests and agitations, sometimes lasting for months, can bring normal life to a standstill, necessitating government intervention and resolution.
• Meaningful Electoral Reforms : Rather than focusing on the mechanical scheduling of elections, there is an urgent need for more substantial electoral reforms that enhance transparency and accountability.
• Managerial Efficiency : Improving the efficiency of election management can be achieved without the need for onerous constitutional amendments.
• The proposal for ONOE is intriguing but lacks the necessary data and robust debate to support its implementation. India should prioritize addressing more pressing governance issues and electoral reforms that enhance transparency.

Why simultaneous elections would militate against federalism

Prelims level: Simultaneous elections

Mains level: One nation one election analysis, impact on the federal structure

• The next Lok Sabha election is scheduled to be held before June 16, 2024. Should the concept of simultaneous elections be realized and implemented, it would necessitate the shortening of the terms of legislative assemblies across many states. This alignment could potentially require term extensions or curtailments in 2029.
• The recent move by the Union government to establish a committee to explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections to various tiers of governance in India has sparked a significant debate. While the idea of simultaneous elections promises cost savings, it also raises crucial questions about its impact on the federal structure of Indian democracy and the unique roles of different governance tiers.

The Specificity of Governance Tiers

• India’s governance structure involves multiple tiers, each with distinct roles and responsibilities.
• Representatives in Indian Governance Tiers:
• Lok Sabha Representatives: 543
• Assembly Legislators: Over 4,100
• Urban Local Ward Representatives: 89,194
• Elected Panchayat Representatives: Nearly 31.89 lakh (across village panchayats, panchayat unions, and district panchayats)

The cost-saving argument for simultaneous elections

• Cost Parity: The 2018 Law Commission report claims that the expenses for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in any state are approximately equal, forming the basis for the cost-saving argument.
• Reduced Duplication: Simultaneous elections aim to reduce duplication of administrative efforts, such as voter registration, setting up polling booths, and deploying security personnel, which can lead to cost savings by optimizing resource utilization.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: Holding elections together allows for more efficient allocation of resources like electoral staff, transportation, and security, as they can be shared across different levels of elections.
• Streamlined Campaigns: Political parties and candidates can potentially save on campaign costs when elections are synchronized, as they need to conduct campaigns once for multiple levels of government rather than separately.
• Economies of Scale: The argument posits that simultaneous elections could leverage economies of scale, leading to cost savings across various aspects of the electoral process.

Implications for Federalism

• Subsuming Governance Tiers: Simultaneous elections could lead to various governance tiers’ issues being bundled into a single electoral mandate. This might require voters to prioritize a wide range of concerns within a single election, potentially blurring the roles and responsibilities of each governance tier.
• Federalism Undermined: Such subsumption has the potential to undermine the principles of federalism in India, which involve a clear division of powers between central and state governments, each addressing specific issues.
• Distinct Roles of Tiers: Federalism recognizes that local issues are best addressed locally, while national issues are the central government’s domain. Simultaneous elections may blur these distinctions, forcing voters to prioritize certain issues due to the single-mandate nature of the elections.
• Local Autonomy: Local self-governance through municipalities and panchayats could face challenges as simultaneous elections combine local and national issues. This may dilute the focus on local governance.
• Unique Needs Ignored: India’s governance structure is designed to address the unique needs of citizens at different levels. For instance, local concerns like garbage management are meant to be handled locally. Simultaneous elections might not allow voters to adequately prioritize such local concerns.

Way forward

• In-Depth Federalism Assessment: Prioritize a comprehensive assessment of the federal aspects of Indian democracy before proceeding with simultaneous elections. This assessment should analyze the potential impact on federalism, the distinct roles of governance tiers, and the preservation of local autonomy.
• Transparent Public Discourse: Encourage transparent public discourse and awareness campaigns to ensure that citizens are well-informed about the implications of simultaneous elections. Engage with citizens, experts, and political parties to gather diverse perspectives and concerns.
• Consultation with State Governments: Conduct extensive consultations with state governments and political parties to understand how simultaneous elections may affect state autonomy and governance. Address the concerns and feedback of state-level stakeholders.
• Pilot Projects: Consider implementing simultaneous elections on a trial basis in select regions or states to assess the practical challenges and benefits. Pilot projects can provide valuable insights into the feasibility and impact of such a significant electoral reform.
• Legal and Constitutional Framework: Develop a robust legal and constitutional framework that explicitly accommodates the principles of federalism and the unique roles of different governance tiers. Ensure that the framework safeguards the autonomy of local bodies and addresses the specific needs of each governance level.
• While the idea of simultaneous elections in India offers the promise of cost savings, it should be approached with careful consideration of its impact on federalism and the specificity of governance tiers. The committee, led by former President Ramnath Kovind, must conduct a thorough analysis of these federal aspects to ensure that the essence of Indian democracy, with its multifaceted governance structure, is preserved and enhanced.

Govt forms committee on simultaneous elections: What is the idea, and the arguments around it?

What is the debate around ‘one nation, one election’.

• The government forms a committee to explore the possibility of One Nation, One Election .
• On September 1st, the Central government established a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind to assess the viability of the ‘one nation, one election’ (ONOE) proposal. This concept revolves around synchronizing the timing of Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across all states to reduce the frequency of electoral processes across the country.
• After the enforcement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, the first-ever general elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies occurred simultaneously in 1951-1952.
• In 1959, the cycle was disrupted as the Central government invoked Article 356 of the Constitution, leading to the dismissal of the Kerala government, due to a perceived failure of constitutional machinery.
• Subsequent to 1960, defections and counter-defections among political parties led to the dissolution of several State Legislative Assemblies.
• This fragmentation resulted in separate election cycles for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Current Scenario : Presently, only specific States such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha conduct their assembly polls concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections.

Reports and Perspectives on ONOE

• Law Commission of India (LCI) Report – 2018 :
• The LCI, led by Justice B. S. Chauhan, issued a draft report in August 2018 that scrutinized simultaneous elections.
• The report acknowledged the constitutional and legal complexities surrounding this proposal.
• It emphasized that the current constitutional framework necessitates amendments for the plan to be realized.
• The LCI also recommended seeking approval from at least 50% of the States for such an overhaul.
• Despite feasibility challenges, the report recognized potential benefits, including cost savings, reduced administrative burden, timely policy execution, and focused governance.
• Historical Context – LCI Report 1999 :
• Notably, the LCI, headed by Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy, supported the concept of simultaneous elections as early as 1999.
• This historical context underscores that the idea has been debated over time.
• Balancing Perspectives :
• The reports and perspectives reveal a dualistic landscape: ONOE offers advantages like efficient governance and reduced election strain, but it’s hampered by practical and constitutional complexities.
• In assessing ONOE’s viability, the focus is on a well-rounded understanding that considers both the potential benefits and the intricate challenges.

Concerns Regarding the One Nation, One Election Plan

• The Constitution outlines fixed tenures (Article 83(2) and 172) for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, raising doubts about the feasibility of simultaneous elections.
• The possibility of mid-term government collapse necessitates a clear mechanism for holding fresh elections or imposing the President’s rule.
• ONOE seems to conflict with the federal structure, contradicting the idea of India as a Union of States (Article 1).
• Altering this balance might affect the autonomy and authority of state governments.
• Frequent elections allow citizens to address national and state issues separately, enhancing accountability.
• ONOE’s merging of issues might dilute accountability mechanisms and lead to a less-focused governance approach.
• While the Central government highlights the substantial costs of frequent elections, critics argue that the actual expenses are not as massive.
• The analysis questions whether the Election Commission’s expenditure of ₹8,000 crore over five years, amounting to ₹1,500 crore annually or ₹27 per voter per year, is a significant expense for maintaining India’s democratic pride.
• Engage legal experts to meticulously assess necessary constitutional amendments for ONOE.
• Develop a contingency plan to handle midterm government collapses, ensuring stability and smooth transitions.
• Initiate dialogues with state governments to understand and address their concerns about centralization.
• Craft a balanced framework that respects both federal principles and national electoral efficiency.
• Explore a hybrid approach that retains staggered elections for select states while implementing ONOE for others.
• Maintain distinct accountability mechanisms for national and state issues, promoting effective governance.
• Conduct an independent and transparent assessment of the costs and savings associated with ONOE.
• Present factual data to address misconceptions and inform stakeholders about the financial implications.
• Begin ONOE implementation through pilot projects in a limited number of states.
• Assess challenges, gather insights, and refine the approach before nationwide adoption.
• The proposal for one nation, one election envisions synchronizing Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections to curtail the frequency of polls. The Indian democracy’s complex dynamics and diverse contexts warrant a comprehensive assessment before implementing such a transformative change.

Govt forms committee to work on ‘One Nation One Election’ legislation

Prelims level: One Nation, One Election

Mains level: Not Much

Central Idea

• The Centre has taken a significant step towards implementing the “One Nation, One Election” concept by forming a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• This concept aims to synchronize elections across different levels of governance, with the intent of boosting efficiency and governance.
• The committee’s primary role is to draft the necessary legislative framework for the successful implementation of the concept.

One Nation, One Election: Background and Rationale

• The frequent occurrence of elections disrupts the continuity of developmental activities due to adherence to election-related codes and rules.
• The Prime Minister has been a vocal advocate of simultaneous elections as a solution to this issue.
• The core idea is to streamline elections across various tiers of government, thereby reducing administrative complexities.

Nature of Simultaneous Elections

• Presently, India conducts separate elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, leading to staggered electoral cycles.
• The “One Nation, One Election” approach envisions holding elections for all state assemblies and the Lok Sabha simultaneously.

Historical Context and Shifting Trends

• In the initial decades after independence, India witnessed concurrent elections.
• This trend shifted with the untimely dissolution of the fourth Lok Sabha in 1971, which marked the decline of simultaneous elections.
• The dissolution of the Lok Sabha during the National Emergency declared in 1975 and the dissolution of state assemblies after the 1977 Lok Sabha election further disrupted this cycle.

Challenges and Necessary Constitutional Amendments

• A significant challenge lies in aligning the terms of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
• Amendments to relevant articles of the Constitution, such as Article 83 for the Lok Sabha and Article 172(1) for Legislative Assemblies, may be required to enable synchronized elections.

Efficiency and Governance Benefits

Simultaneous elections offer several benefits:

• Reduction in effort, time, and expenditure due to consolidated election cycles.
• Mitigation of governance disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
• Streamlined campaign expenses, potentially leading to cost savings.
• Improved voter turnout and enhanced credibility of the electoral process.

Challenges and Counterarguments

• Challenges include synchronizing terms, preventing mid-term dissolutions, and addressing the costs associated with electronic voting machines (EVMs).
• Counterarguments raise concerns about influencing voter choices, potential erosion of government accountability, and implications for democratic principles and federalism.

Ensuring Effective Implementation

• Robust legal safeguards are essential to address the challenge of mid-term dissolutions and maintain the integrity of synchronized elections.
• Some countries employ mechanisms like “no-confidence motions” to ensure governance continuity during the synchronized cycle.
• The “One Nation, One Election” initiative holds the potential to streamline India’s electoral process and enhance governance efficiency.
• Overcoming challenges requires a comprehensive approach along with suitable legal provisions, making the concept a practical reality while preserving democratic principles and federalism.

Prelims level: NA

Mains level: The concept of one nation, one election, pros and cons

• The government forms a committee to explore the possibility of One Nation, One Election.
• In a significant move, the Indian government has established a committee under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind to delve into the viability of implementing the concept of one nation, one election. This proposal coincides with the announcement of a special parliamentary session scheduled between September 18 and 22, with its specific agenda undisclosed.

Historical Context

• Independent India’s initial elections featured simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. However, the synchronized cycle was disrupted due to various political changes, including the rise of regional parties.
• Over time, some states aligned their assembly elections with the Lok Sabha polls, while others maintained separate cycles.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently advocated for the synchronization of Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
• He announced the formation of a committee in June 2019 after his re-election, intending to explore this concept in consultation with political party leaders.

Arguments in Favor of Simultaneous Elections

• Cost Efficiency: Conducting multiple elections throughout the year consumes significant resources. Synchronizing elections could lead to substantial cost savings by consolidating administrative efforts, reducing expenses, and optimizing resource allocation.
• Effective Governance: Frequent elections disrupt governance as the Model Code of Conduct restricts policy announcements. Simultaneous elections could ensure uninterrupted policy implementation and governance, benefiting citizens with a consistent and focused administration.
• Resource Rationalization: Organizing elections requires considerable manpower, security personnel, and financial resources. Simultaneous elections would streamline resource allocation, reducing the strain on logistical arrangements and personnel deployment.
• Enhanced Voter Participation: Coordinated elections could potentially boost voter turnout by creating a sense of importance and urgency among citizens to participate in a comprehensive electoral process.
• Engagement of security forces: D eployment of security forces is normally throughout the elections and frequent elections take away a portion of such armed police force which could otherwise be better deployed for other internal security purposes.
• Impact on social fabric: Frequent elections perpetuate caste, religion, and communal issues across the country as elections are polarising events that have accentuated casteism, communalism, and corruption.
• Focus on populist measures: Frequent elections will impact the focus of governance and policymaking as it forces the political class to typically think in terms of immediate electoral gains rather than focus on long-term programs and policies.

Arguments Against Simultaneous Elections

• Logistical Challenges: Coordinating elections across states and levels of government presents significant logistical challenges, including the availability of polling stations, security arrangements, and managing a large-scale operation.
• Regional Representation: Simultaneous elections may favor national parties over regional ones, leading to a reduction in the representation of regional issues and undermining the diversity of political voices.
• Disruption on Government Collapse: If a government collapses before its term concludes, simultaneous elections could lead to a prolonged period of political uncertainty and governance instability at both state and national levels.
• Constitutional Amendments: Implementing simultaneous elections necessitates extensive amendments to the Constitution, electoral laws, and parliamentary procedures, which may require complex negotiations and consensus-building.
• Impact on Federal Structure: Simultaneous elections might blur the distinction between state and national issues, potentially weakening the federal structure and eroding the autonomy of state elections.
• Electoral Commission Capacity: Coordinating simultaneous elections would place a significant burden on the Election Commission’s resources, possibly affecting the efficiency and credibility of the electoral process.
• Complexity of the Anti-Defection Law: Simultaneous elections could complicate the implementation of the anti-defection law, potentially leading to legal challenges and political instability.
• Suppression of Diverse Voices: A single overarching election campaign might overshadow regional concerns and reduce the space for a diverse range of opinions and local issues.

Previous Considerations and Recommendations

• Election Commission’s 1983 Suggestion: In 1983, the Election Commission proposed the idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
• The Law Commission’s 1999 Recommendation: The Law Commission, led by Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy, presented its 170th report in May 1999. The report recommended exploring a system where elections for the Lok Sabha and all legislative assemblies are held simultaneously.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Effort (2003): In 2003, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee discussed the concept with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Though initial discussions were positive, the idea did not gain traction beyond that point.
• L.K. Advani’s Proposal (2010): In 2010, BJP leader L.K. Advani proposed fixed-term legislatures and simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. He emphasized the need to avoid frequent elections for the stability of governments.
• Election Commission’s Support (2019): In 2019, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora expressed support for the idea of simultaneous elections, calling it a desirable goal. He suggested aligning the terms of state assemblies with the life of the Parliament for successful implementation.
• Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice, led by E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, compiled a report in 2015. The report highlighted benefits such as reduced expenditure, policy continuity, and a minimized impact on essential services during election times.
• Law Commission’s Draft Report (2018): In August 2018, the Law Commission, under the leadership of Justice B.S. Chauhan, drafted a report stating that simultaneous elections couldn’t be held within the existing constitutional framework. The Commission recommended amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and parliamentary procedures for its implementation. The report suggested that at least 50% of states ratify constitutional amendments.

Contemporary Perspectives

• BJP’s Manifesto (Recent Years): The BJP included the idea of “one nation, one election” in its election manifesto, viewing it as a means to streamline the electoral process and minimize disruptions caused by frequent elections.
• Opposition’s Reservations (2023): In 2023, leaders from parties such as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Congress have expressed opposition to the idea of simultaneous elections. They argue that it could diminish the importance of state elections and regional parties, leading to their overshadowing by national leaders.

Way forward?

• The standing committee recommended a cycle of elections, according to which elections to some legislative assemblies whose term end within six months to one year before or after the election date could be held during the midterm of Lok Sabha . For the rest of the states, elections could be held along with the general elections to Lok Sabha.
• Cost can be brought under control by ensuring that the legal cap on expenditure of candidates is followed by all parties.
• Accomplishing one year one election will be easier as it doesn’t require as many legal amendments as simultaneous polls for which the Centre will have to make five amendments to the Constitution.
• The concept of one nation, one election remains a subject of ongoing deliberation in Indian politics. While proponents emphasize its potential advantages, critics raise valid concerns about its implementation and impact on regional dynamics. The future of this proposal will depend on how these considerations are navigated in the evolving political landscape of India.

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One Nation, One Election

What’s in today’s article?

Why in news.

• Simultaneous elections in India: Meaning

History of Elections in India

• High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election

Key recommendations of the HLC

The High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. The report said that simultaneous elections would lead to a fundamental transformation in the electoral process and overall governance.

The HLC, popularly known as the Kovind panel after its chairman, former President Ram Nath Kovind, was constituted in September 2023.

What is One Nation One Election?

• The concept of " One Nation, One Election " envisions a system in which all state and Lok Sabha elections must be held simultaneously.
• This will entail restructuring the Indian election cycle so that elections to the states and the centre coincide.
• This would imply that voters will vote for members of the LS and state assemblies on the same day and at the same time (or in a phased manner as the case may be).
• The first general elections of free India held simultaneously to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the States in 1951.
• Kerala where a mid-term election was held in 1960 on the pre-mature dissolution of the Assembly, and
• In Nagaland and Pondicherry where the Assembly was created only after the 1962 general elections.
• The last occasion when we had near-simultaneous elections was in 1967.
• The fourth Lok Sabha constituted in 1967 was dissolved prematurely in 1971. This was the beginning of the end of simultaneous elections.
• Extension of the term of Lok Sabha during the National Emergency declared in 1975 and the dissolution of Assemblies of some States after the 1977 Lok Sabha election further disturbed the cycle of concurrent elections.
• In 2019, only 4 States had their assembly elections, along with the Lok Sabha.
• We now have at least two rounds of Assembly general elections every year.
• The panel recommended amending the Constitution so elections for the Lok Sabha, all state assemblies and local bodies can be held by 2029.
• In all, 18 amendments to the Constitution and other statutes have been suggested.
• In the first step, simultaneous elections will be held to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• To achieve synchronisation at the first step, the government should take a one-time step where they pick a specific date after a Lok Sabha election.
• To effect these changes, the panel has recommended amendments to Article 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (duration of State legislatures) of the Constitution.
• For this, no ratification by the states will be required for the constitutional amendment .
• This will be done in such a way that local body elections are held within 100 days of the elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
• This will require ratification by not less than one-half of the states.
• The committee recommended an Article 324A, which states that Parliament may make a law to ensure that elections to municipalities and panchayats be held together with General Elections.
• To make single electoral roll and electoral photo identity cards for use in elections to all the three tiers of government, the committee recommended that Article 325 of the Constitution be amended.
• Then only, Election Commission of India can prepare a single electoral roll and election ID in consultation with the State Election Commissions.
• These amendments will require ratification by not less than one-half of the states.
• In the event of a hung House, a no-confidence motion , or any such event, fresh elections should be held to constitute the new Lok Sabha or state Assembly for the unexpired term of the House.
• The committee suggests that the Election Commission of India should plan ahead with State Election Commissions for things like manpower, polling staff, security forces, and voting machines to ensure fair elections across all levels of government at the same time.
• In this model, to bring a no-confidence motion against a government, a positive vote of confidence in an alternate leader or government is required.
• The committee said that the prevailing Parliamentary practice in this regard is appropriate and does not require any change.
• Making a motion of no confidence by the Members of Parliament is not only their right, but also their responsibility. The Committee would not like to dilute this feature of the Indian Parliamentary system.

Q1) What is an electoral roll?

An electoral roll is a list of people who are eligible to vote in a specific jurisdiction. It's usually broken down by electoral districts and is made to help election officials at polling places.

 Q2) What is Article 325 of Indian Constitution?

Article 325 of the Indian Constitution states that no one can be excluded from a special electoral roll based on their religion, race, caste, or sex. It also states that there will be one general electoral roll for each territorial constituency for elections to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State.

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[Indepth] One Nation One Election – Pros and Cons

From Current Affairs Notes for UPSC » Editorials & In-depths » This topic

The ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative in India proposes the synchronization of elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies to occur simultaneously. This concept, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and reducing the financial and logistical burden of separate elections, has sparked a significant debate. It involves complex constitutional amendments and has received mixed reactions from political parties, with concerns about its impact on democracy and federalism.

This topic of “[Indepth] One Nation One Election – Pros and Cons” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination , which falls under General Studies Portion.

Background and Historical Perspective

• Between December 1951 and February 1952, independent India held its first elections, both to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies, marking the beginning of simultaneous elections.
• This practice continued until the late 1960s, with elections to the Lok Sabha and various State assemblies held concurrently in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• The system of simultaneous elections was disrupted due to the premature dissolution of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969, leading to a staggered election cycle.
• The disruption began in the late 1960s when unstable non-Congress state governments began to fall, leading to midterm elections and thus, a disruption in the pattern of joint elections.
• The 1971 general elections, originally scheduled for 1972, were advanced by an entire year by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , marking a clean break from the earlier practice of simultaneous polls.
• This decision was influenced by a desire to make the polls a referendum on her populist measures, effectively separating the national and state schedules.
• The idea to revert to simultaneous polls was suggested in the annual report of the Election Commission in 1983 and later, the Law Commission report referred to it in 1999.
• In 2018, the Law Commission submitted a draft report backing the idea of simultaneous polls, recommending changes to the electoral laws and constitutional provisions.
• Various entities, including the EC, the Law Commission, and parliamentary committees, have explored the concept of ‘one nation, one election’ on several occasions in the past.

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The Proposal for Simultaneous Elections

• The proposal aims to synchronize the electoral process across India, allowing for Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies to be elected in a single, consolidated electoral event.
• This would involve a significant overhaul of the current electoral calendar to align the various election cycles.
• The government argues that simultaneous elections would lead to considerable savings on the cost incurred in conducting separate elections.
• It is also believed that this would reduce the administrative burden on the Election Commission and ensure more efficient governance, as governments could focus on administration rather than perpetually preparing for the next election cycle.
• Another key rationale is the reduction in the impact of the model code of conduct , which restricts government work during election periods, thereby ensuring uninterrupted policy implementation and governance.
• The committee recommended amendments to the Constitution and electoral laws to enable the transition to simultaneous elections.
• It suggested the introduction of a mechanism to ensure that both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies have a fixed term of five years to facilitate synchronized elections.
• The committee also proposed the idea of a “constructive vote of no-confidence” in the legislative bodies, meaning that a government can only be dissolved if there is a majority vote for a new government, to prevent premature dissolution of the assemblies or the Lok Sabha.

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Pros of Simultaneous Elections

• Holding simultaneous elections could significantly reduce the overall cost of conducting separate elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• The government and political parties would incur lower expenditure, as the need for repeated mobilization of resources for multiple elections would be eliminated.
• Simultaneous elections would free up administrative machinery and security forces from the repeated engagement in election duties, allowing them to focus on their primary responsibilities.
• The Election Commission would be able to streamline its processes and focus on a single, nationwide election, potentially increasing the effectiveness of monitoring and conducting elections.
• With elections occurring less frequently, governments could focus more on governance and policy implementation without the interruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct during election periods.
• The continuity of policies and programs would likely improve, as governments would not be in a constant state of preparation for the next election.
• High-stake elections each year can lead to polarizing campaigns; simultaneous elections could help in reducing the pernicious role of regionalism, casteism, and communalism in mobilizing electorates.
• A unified election could bring issues of national importance to the forefront, potentially fostering a sense of national unity.
• It is suggested that holding simultaneous elections could boost voter turnout, as it would be more convenient for voters to cast their ballots for multiple elections at once.
• Voter fatigue might be reduced, as the public would not be called to the polls as frequently.
• Frequent elections encourage political parties to prioritize short-term, populist measures; with simultaneous elections, there may be a greater commitment to long-term investment and policy stability.
• The dense electoral cycle’s prolonged deployment of security forces for election duty poses concerns for national security; simultaneous elections would mitigate this issue.

Cons of Simultaneous Elections

• Implementing simultaneous elections would necessitate significant constitutional amendments, including changes to Articles 83, 172, 174, and 356, which govern the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• The process would also require altering the Representation of the People Act and other parliamentary procedures.
• There is a concern that national issues might overshadow state-specific issues, potentially disadvantaging regional parties and affecting the federal structure of the country.
• Regional parties fear they would struggle to compete with national parties in terms of election expenditure and election strategy.
• A study by the IDFC Institute found that when elections are held simultaneously, there is a 77% chance that voters will choose the same party for both the state and central government, which may not reflect the true preference of voters for different levels of government.
• To maintain the cycle of simultaneous elections, state assemblies might be forced to dissolve prematurely, which could be seen as unconstitutional and disruptive to the democratic process.
• With elections occurring less frequently, there may be fewer opportunities for voters to hold their elected representatives accountable, potentially leading to complacency among politicians.
• Coordinating simultaneous elections across all states and union territories presents immense logistical challenges, requiring careful planning and resources.
• The Election Commission would need a significantly larger number of electronic voting machines and additional polling staff and security personnel.
• Simultaneous elections may lead to a “wave” effect, where the outcome of national elections significantly influences state elections, potentially reducing the autonomy of state-level governance.
• Frequent state elections serve as a check on the central government’s power, providing a platform for opposition parties to challenge the ruling party at the center. This check may be weakened with simultaneous elections.
• Political discourse during simultaneous elections may be overwhelmingly centered on national issues, sidelining crucial regional issues and hampering the overall development of the states.
• Extended periods between elections may lead to voter fatigue and reduced engagement, as voters may become overwhelmed by the volume of information and campaigns over an extended period.

Political Parties’ Stance

• The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies support the idea, citing benefits such as reduced expenditure and increased governance efficiency.
• They argue that simultaneous elections would lead to greater political stability and policy consistency.
• The Indian National Congress and other opposition parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have expressed concerns.
• These parties argue that simultaneous elections could favor the party in power at the center and erode the autonomy of states.
• Regional parties worry that the focus on national elections could overshadow local issues, which are crucial for regional governance and politics.
• They fear that the narrative of national parties could dominate the electoral discourse, marginalizing regional priorities and concerns.

Constitutional and Legal Implications

• The implementation of ‘One Nation, One Election’ would require significant amendments to the Constitution, including the introduction of new articles and changes to existing ones.
• Amendments would be needed for Articles 83 and 172, which pertain to the duration of the Houses of Parliament and state legislatures, respectively.
• The introduction of Article 82A is proposed to establish the process for transitioning to simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• Article 324A is suggested to empower Parliament to ensure that elections to municipalities and panchayats are held simultaneously with Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
• The transition to simultaneous elections may require the curtailment or extension of the terms of existing state assemblies to align with the Lok Sabha election cycle.
• A one-time transitory measure would be necessary to synchronize all elections, potentially resulting in some state assemblies having terms of less than five years.
• The proposed Article 82A would result in the terms of all state assemblies constituted after a specified ‘appointed date’ ending with the expiry of the Lok Sabha’s term, thus setting the stage for simultaneous elections.
• To address the issue of a hung Parliament or Assembly, the Kovind panel’s proposals suggest a mechanism for resolving situations where no single political party or alliance secures a majority.
• The concept of a ‘constructive vote of no-confidence’ implies that a government can only be dissolved if there is a majority vote for a new government, which is intended to prevent premature dissolution of legislative bodies and maintain stability.
• This concept is designed to ensure that a government remains in place unless there is a clear alternative, thereby supporting the continuity of governance and reducing the likelihood of frequent elections.

Logistical and Administrative Considerations

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) would need to mobilize significantly more resources considering the increased scope of simultaneous elections.
• Resources include polling officials for supervision, security personnel for safe and secure polls, and supply of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) including Control Units (CUs) and Balloting Units (BU) for each polling station.
• Additional logistical needs encompass transportation and storage of poll-related materials, strong rooms for EVM storage until counting, and other necessary resources.
• The ECI estimates that a total of 11.80 lakh polling stations would be required for Lok Sabha polls, and approximately Rs 10,000 crore would be needed every 15 years for new EVMs if simultaneous polls are held.
• The ECI, in consultation with State Election Commissions (SECs), will plan and estimate in advance the deployment of polling personnel, security forces, EVMs, and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) to ensure free and fair elections.
• The ECI will take over the process of creating electoral rolls, with SECs playing a consultative role, to streamline the voter registration process for all elections.
• The committee has recommended the creation of a single electoral roll for every territorial constituency for elections to the House of Parliament, state legislatures, municipalities, and panchayats.
• This unified electoral roll would replace any electoral roll prepared earlier, thus eliminating redundancies and ensuring consistency across all levels of government.
• Amendments to Article 325 of the Constitution are recommended to enable the ECI to prepare a single electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) in consultation with the SECs.
• These amendments will require ratification by not less than one-half of the states.

Economic Implications

• Frequent elections are seen to negatively impact the economy and development, as they impose a substantial economic burden in terms of election management and create an atmosphere of uncertainty that can affect policy decisions.
• The cycle of continuous elections leads to disruptions in policymaking and administration, causing uncertainty about government policies and affecting the working of the government as officials are often roped in for election duties.
• Investment decisions by the private sector tend to slow down prior to elections, and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct leads to delays in project implementation.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) supports the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’, arguing that it would enhance governance efficiency and foster economic development.
• CII suggests that streamlining the electoral process through simultaneous elections would reduce the project implementation delays and could result in cost savings of approximately half the total expenses incurred by the Central and State governments in administering elections.
• The industry body emphasizes that asynchronous multiple elections lead to frequent disruption in policymaking and administration, which in turn affects economic growth and the quality of public expenditure.
• CII believes that there are two options for implementing simultaneous elections: a single five-year cycle or a two-stage simultaneous election with a gap of at least 2.5 years between the Lok Sabha elections and the state elections in the interim period.

Public Opinion and Civil Society

• A high-level committee on ‘One Nation One Election’ reported that out of 21,558 public responses received, more than 80% (17,342) support the idea of holding simultaneous polls in India, indicating a considerable public endorsement for the concept.
• The public’s support is seen as a reflection of the desire for reduced election-related disruptions and a more focused governance model, highlighting the potential for increased administrative efficiency and cost savings.
• However, opposition from approximately 20% of the respondents underscores concerns about the proposal’s impact on the federal structure, the democratic process, and the potential overshadowing of local issues by national politics.
• Civil society organizations (CSOs) and think tanks have played a critical role in the debate, providing research, analysis, and forums for discussion on the implications of simultaneous elections.
• The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) expressed concerns that simultaneous elections could artificially alter the terms of elected assemblies, impacting the parliamentary democratic system and potentially leading to a unitary structure of governance.
• AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, representing a critical voice from civil society, argued against the proposal, emphasizing that elections are fundamental to democracy and should not be compromised for administrative convenience or economic viability.
• Former Chief Election Commissioners and legal experts consulted by the committee contributed to the debate by highlighting logistical, constitutional, and practical challenges associated with implementing simultaneous elections.
• The involvement of apex business organizations like CII in the discussions brought an economic perspective to the debate, advocating for the economic benefits of simultaneous elections due to the adverse effects of asynchronous elections on economic growth and social harmony.
• Civil society’s engagement in the debate reflects a broad spectrum of opinions, from strong support based on potential governance and economic benefits to serious concerns about the impact on India’s democratic and federal structure.

International Comparisons

Examples of other countries with simultaneous elections.

Lessons learned and applicability to the Indian context

• Countries with simultaneous elections often see increased voter turnout due to the convenience of voting for multiple levels of government at once, which could be beneficial for India.
• However, there is also the risk of voter fatigue or information overload, which could potentially decrease the quality of voter engagement.
• The proportional representation systems in countries like Sweden and South Africa facilitate simultaneous elections, but India’s first-past-the-post system may present unique challenges.
• There is a concern that simultaneous elections could disadvantage smaller regional parties, as seen in some international contexts where national issues overshadow local ones.
• Simultaneous elections can streamline administrative processes and reduce the frequency of mobilizing resources, which is a point of consideration for India.
• The potential for cost savings is significant, as seen in countries that hold simultaneous elections, which is a compelling argument for India given the high cost of its frequent elections.
• The constructive vote of no-confidence in Germany, which prevents government collapse without a viable alternative, is a concept India is considering to maintain stability with simultaneous elections.
• India must consider the impact on its federal structure, as simultaneous elections could centralize power and affect the balance between national and state governance, unlike in unitary states.
• The diversity and size of India compared to other countries with simultaneous elections mean that lessons learned must be adapted to the Indian context, taking into account regional variations and political dynamics.

Way Forward

Steps towards achieving ‘one nation, one election’.

• Amend Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution to adjust the terms of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, respectively, to enable their synchronization.
• Introduce new constitutional provisions, such as Article 324A for simultaneous elections to Panchayats and Municipalities, and amend Article 325 for a single electoral roll.
• Pass new legislation or amend existing laws, like the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to accommodate the logistical and legal requirements of simultaneous elections.
• The Election Commission, in consultation with State Election Commissions, must prepare for the procurement of additional EVMs and VVPATs, and ensure adequate training for polling personnel and security forces.
• Develop and implement a single electoral roll and unified Voter ID system to streamline the voting process across all levels of government.
• Launch nationwide campaigns to educate the public on the benefits and changes associated with simultaneous elections, aiming to build public support and understanding.
• Consider conducting pilot projects in select states or regions to assess the practical challenges and impacts of simultaneous elections before a full-scale national rollout.
• Implement simultaneous elections in phases, starting with synchronizing Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, followed by local body elections.

Potential timeline and phases for implementation

• Formation of a consensus among major political parties and initiation of constitutional amendments.
• Detailed planning and initial procurement of necessary logistical resources like EVMs and VVPATs.
• Implementation of pilot projects in selected states or regions to evaluate the feasibility and impact of simultaneous elections.
• Nationwide rollout of a single electoral roll and unified Voter ID system.
• Full implementation of simultaneous elections across all levels of government, following successful pilot projects and adjustments based on feedback.
• Continuous evaluation and refinement of the electoral process to address any emerging challenges or inefficiencies.

The role of consensus-building among political parties and stakeholders

• Organize forums, workshops, and discussions involving political parties, civil society organizations, and electoral experts to discuss the proposal and address concerns.
• The high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind has already initiated this process by consulting political parties and stakeholders, indicating a foundational step towards building consensus.
• Work towards addressing the concerns of opposition parties and regional parties, particularly regarding the potential overshadowing of local issues and the impact on federalism.
• Propose safeguards and mechanisms to ensure that local and regional issues remain a priority in national and state elections.
• Ensure that the process of moving towards simultaneous elections is inclusive, taking into account the views and suggestions of all stakeholders, including opposition parties, civil society, and the public.
• The consensus-building process must be transparent and based on the principle of achieving the greatest good for the democratic process and governance efficiency in India.

The proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India aims to synchronize national and state elections to enhance administrative efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize disruptions to governance. While it enjoys significant support for its potential benefits, it also faces challenges including constitutional amendments, logistical hurdles, and concerns over its impact on federalism and democracy. Achieving this requires a consensus among political parties, meticulous planning, and phased implementation, considering the diverse and complex nature of India’s electoral democracy.

Practice Question

Critically analyze the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ in the context of India. Discuss its potential benefits, challenges, and the constitutional amendments required for its implementation. (250 words)

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Feasibility of ‘One Nation, One Election

Syllabus : GS 2/Polity and Governance

• The majority of the over 20,000 responses received by the high-level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’ favoured the idea of holding simultaneous elections

About  “One Nation, One Election

•  The idea of “One Nation, One Election” envisages a system where elections to all states and the Lok Sabha will have to be held simultaneously. 
• This will involve the restructuring of the Indian election cycle in a manner that elections to the states and the centre synchronise. 
• This would mean that the voters will cast their vote for electing members of the LS and the state assemblies on a single day, at the same time (or in a phased manner as the case may be).

Purpose 

• It is argued that common elections for the Union Parliament and State Assemblies would reduce expenditure significantly. 
• The system will help ruling parties focus on governance instead of being constantly in election mode.
• Turn out increase: It will boost voter turnout, according to the Law Commission.
• It will also  reducing the strain on the administrative setup and security forces,
• It will ensure Timely implementation of government policies, and administrative focus on development activities rather than electioneering.

Criticism 

• Impacts voters judgement : National and state issues are different, and holding simultaneous elections is likely to affect the judgement of voters.
• This will be a blow to democracy and federalism.
• There are occasions where a government may not complete a full term of five years, and elections may be held again. Such occurrences are expressions of the democratic system and ought to be accepted.
• Repeated elections keep legislators on their toes and increase accountability.

Legal concerns

• The Constitution provides for a specific tenure for the State Legislatures, which is five years from the date appointed for the first meeting.
•  Therefore, the introduction of a common election process would necessarily require alteration of the existing duration of a number of State Legislatures .

Feasibility 

• Article 83(2) and 172 of the Constitution stipulates that the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies respectively will last for five years unless dissolved earlier and there can be circumstances, as in Article 356, wherein assemblies can be dissolved earlier.
• The Law Commission’s 2018 draft report on simultaneous elections also suggested that at least 50 per cent of the States should ratify the constitutional amendments.

Steps of the government

• The High Level Committee has met on three occasions and sought the views of various national and State political parties on the subject of a common elections schedule. 

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• The outcome of ‘One Nation, One Election has the potential to alter the fundamentals of democratic set-up and reset the federal structure, it is necessary to examine the legal issues at the earliest juncture.
• The current committee will have to examine and recommend whether the amendments to the Constitution require ratification by the States and analyse and recommend a possible solution in a scenario of simultaneous elections.
• Safeguards will also be required to ensure the continuity of the cycle of simultaneous Elections.
• There is a need to reduce expenditures incurred on continuous elections and yet maintain the balance of federal polity and effective governance.

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One Nation One Election

Topics Covered: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

One Nation, One Election:

PM recently again pitched for ‘One Nation, One Election’ , saying it is the need of the country as elections taking place every few months hamper development works.

• This was suggested at the recently held 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference.
• He also suggested that only one voter list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections.

What is ‘One Nation, One Election’?

It refers to holding elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Panchayats and Urban local bodies simultaneously, once in five year.

But, what are the challenges posed by frequent elections?

• Massive expenditure.
• Policy paralysis that results from the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct during election time.
• Impact on delivery of essential services.
• Burden on crucial manpower that is deployed during election time.
• Puts pressure on political parties, especially smaller ones, as elections are becoming increasingly expensive.

Benefits of Simultaneous Elections:

• Governance and consistency: The ruling parties will be able to focus on legislation and governance rather than having to be in campaign mode forever.
• Reduced Expenditure of Money and Administration.
• Continuity in policies and programmes.
• Efficiency of Governance: Populist measures by governments will reduce.
• The impact of black money on the voters will be reduced as all elections are held at a time.

Impact on Regional parties:

There is always a tendency for voters to vote the same party in power in the state and at the Centre in case the Lok Sabha polls and the state elections are held together.

For simultaneous elections to be implemented, Changes to be made in Constitution and Legislations:

• Article 83 which deals with the duration of Houses of Parliament need an amendment.
• Article 85 (on dissolution of Lok Sabha by the president).
• Article 172 (relating to the duration of state legislatures).

The Representation of People Act, 1951 Act would have to be amended to build in provisions for stability of tenure for both parliament and assemblies. This should include the following crucial elements:

• Restructuring the powers and functions of the ECI to facilitate procedures required for simultaneous elections
• A definition of simultaneous election can be added to section 2 of the 1951 act.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

• What is Model Code of Conduct?
• Powers of the Election Commission to conduct elections.
• Overview of the Representation of People Act, 1951 Act.
• Overview of Articles- 83, 85 and 172.

Mains Link:

Discuss the merits and demerits of the concept of “One nation, One election” for Indian polity.

Sources: the Hindu.

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One Nation One Election: RSTV - The Big Picture

One Nation One Election RSTV – Download PDF Here

Rajya Sabha TV programs like ‘The Big Picture’, ‘In Depth’ and ‘India’s World’ are informative programs that are important for UPSC preparation. In this article, you can read about the discussions held in the ‘Big Picture’ episode on  “One Nation One Election”  for the  IAS Exam

Anchor – Frank Rausan Pereira

Guests – S K Mendiratta, Former Advisor, Election Commission;

             Ashok Tandon, Senior Journalist;

             Prof. Sunil K Choudhary, Political Analyst;

            Satya Prakash, Legal Editor, The Tribune;

Larger Background

• Chairing an all-party meeting on the eve of the first session of the new Lok Sabha , Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently invited heads of all parties to a meeting on June 19 th , 2019 to discuss the “one nation, one election” idea and other important matters.
• Noting that there are many new faces in this Lok Sabha, PM Modi said the first session of the Lower House of Parliament should begin with “fresh zeal and new thinking”.
• Addressing the media later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the Prime Minister has requested all parties, especially the opposition, for their cooperation for the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. Apart from “one nation, one election” the all-party meeting has been called to deliberate on other matters like – celebrations of 75 years of India’s Independence in 2022 and 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary this year (2019).
• This edition of the big picture will analyse the ‘one nation, one election’ issue.

Need for Synchronizing the Elections:

• The idea of “One Nation, One Election” is a very good idea. In the larger public interest, it will be very useful. However, there may be certain constitutional impediments.
• For holding all elections on a particular day, the terms of the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies should be synchronized in such a way that elections can be held within a given span of time. For this, constitutional amendments would be needed. Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Constitution of India would need to be amended. Article 83 says that the term of the Lok Sabha would be a period of 5 years from the date of its first sitting. Similarly, Article 172 says that the term of the legislative assemblies in the country will also be a period of 5 years from the date of its first sitting.
• Currently, all these dates vary. The current term of the Lok Sabha will go up to 2024. The elections to some state assemblies have also been recently held, whereas some were held last year (2018), and some were held during the previous year. Thus, important questions emerge. The most important being the manner in which one can synchronize all these dates, such that they all end during a particularly given span of time. Thus, for the implementation of simultaneous elections in the country, the terms of some legislative assemblies should be extended, or in some cases, they must be curtailed. Currently, the elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana are due in the next 3-4 months or so. Similarly, the elections to the states of Rajasthan have been held recently, thus, if simultaneous elections are to be held, the terms of these assemblies would have to be extended. Thus, all these extensions and curtailments would need some amendments to the Constitution of India.  

Constitutional and legal challenges: Perspectives and Insights

• Proposing the idea of a Presidential form of Government:
• The core problem area which is coming in the way of implementing this is the Parliamentary form of Government which India practices.  
• In this, the Government is accountable to the lower house, be it at the level of the State Assemblies or in the Lok Sabha.
• If the Government is accountable to the lower house, given the nature of the Parliamentary form of Government, the Government can fall (theoretically) before it completes its term. And the moment the Government falls, there have to be fresh elections. Thus, the core obstruction in the way of implementing simultaneous elections in the country is a Parliamentary form of Government. Thus, one solution (which would emerge to be a radical solution) is to go for a Presidential form of Government.

(b) Looking at the American Perspective:  

• In America, the election day is fixed. After every 4 years, the first Tuesday, falling after the first Monday, in the month of November, is the election date. This applies to the office of the President and Vice President of the United States of America.
• Similarly, the days for holding elections for the House of Representatives, and the Senate are also fixed. This is done between the 2 nd and the 8 th of November. This has been fixed statutorily, i.e. it has been fixed by a law.  
• In India, such a concept is not possible because of the Parliamentary form of government. Thus, one solution that can be put forward is India adopting a Presidential form of Government.

(c) Implementing simultaneous elections within the existing system:

• One can also fix the term of the assembly and the Lok Sabha.
• This can be done by amending various provisions, particularly, Article 83 (which talks about the tenure of the Lok Sabha) and Article 172 (which talks about the tenure of the Vidhan Sabha). Also, Article 356 has to be amended because that authorizes the Central Government to impose President’s rule for the failure of constitutional machinery in a State. Thus, once we have a fixed tenure, even if the Government is dismissed, the Government goes, but the assembly remains. Thus, this part has to be taken care of.   
• If the existing Parliamentary form of Government continues, the Government is bound to fall, and at times it can fall because of quorum issues. Such issues would need to be tackled and they can be done even within the present framework.

Indian Elections: Past and Present

• Our Parliamentary system is very difficult, different and complex vis-à-vis the American system. Also, the idea of “One Nation, One Election” is not new. We have been holding the elections of the assemblies and the Lok Sabha from 1951-52 till 1967. There are no disputes in terms of the efficacy of “One Nation, One Election”. The problem that needs to be addressed is about its implementation, and how we can enforce it all across India. Also, it is important that we seek a consensus because the Parliamentary system follows the system of traditions and conventions, and at this current juncture, it is difficult to impose a particular idea on all the political parties.
• Synchronizing elections from the Lok Sabha, to State Assemblies and even local institutions, is possible, but what is important is how this synchronization can be done based on existing traditions and conventions. The most important parameter with which things can be synchronized to is the fixed tenure of the Lok Sabha. So, if we keep this parameter as fixed (we have the next Lok Sabha elections due in 2024), the duration of the other assemblies can either be extended or deducted.    
• Also, the idea of simultaneous elections in terms of checking the exchequer’s money in terms of poll expenses, party expenses, etc. throws up some important facts. As a matter of fact, in 1951-52, when the first elections to the Lok Sabha took place, the number of political parties and the number of candidates and even the poll expenses, was a very minimal figure.
• For instance, when we compare the poll expenses with the indexing of 2011, the poll expenses were only 11 crores (this was declared and displayed by political parties in 1951-52). Also, the number of political parties that contested the elections in 1951-52 was only 53, and there were around 1874 candidates in total (a figure less than 2000). When we compare this with the figures in 2019, we find that the number of political parties has risen from 53 to 610.
• The number of candidates has also increased from 1874 to around say 9-10 thousand. Also, the poll expenses which have been declared by the political parties come up to 60,000 crore rupees. Thus, if we just take the trajectory of these important dimensions, one believes that the idea is going for “One Nation, One Election”, would be in the interest of the nation. If this is implemented, then India can move towards a vibrant and new democratic system.  

Are Simultaneous Elections feasible on the ground?

• When the idea of simultaneous elections was mooted by the Prime Minister in the year 2018, the Law Commission of India examined the constitutional aspects as well as the legal aspects. The Law Commission then gave its interim recommendations. These interim recommendations are also in the public domain.
• These recommendations touched upon two things: a) If simultaneous elections are to be brought in, then the Constitution of India would need to be amended. The Representation of People Act, 1951 would need to be amended. Also, Parliamentary procedures would need to be amended. The Law Commission of India also observed that simultaneous elections would save public money. It would also reduce the burden on the administrative setup and security forces. It would ensure timely implementation of the Government policies, and ensure that the administrative machinery is engaged in developmental activities rather than electioneering. On this score, obviously, opinions and views are not divided. Everybody agrees with this.
• However, some options were recommended by the Law Commission of India. Also, all these options are within the framework of the existing Parliamentary system.
• It is important to note that when we started elections in 1951-52, simultaneous elections were held. But when a State assembly got dissolved in between, it posed to be an obstruction towards conducting simultaneous elections.  
• The other way forward is if we alter the basic structure of the Constitution of India. In NDA- I, a committee was formed under the leadership of former Speaker Mr Sangma, and there was a hue and cry that the country cannot afford to alter the basic structure of the Indian Constitution and go for a Presidential form of Government.
• It is important to note that even if we go with the Presidential form of Government, it would also affect the federal structure of the country. So, what happens to the State Assemblies?
• Thus, synchronizing the elections of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha within the existing framework of the Constitution of India with a few amendments is something which can be done through consensus by all political parties.
• The Prime Minister’s recent call towards “One Nation, One Election”, is to evolve a consensus first among the political parties, then among the intellectuals, and also the media. Now, it is time for a national debate. The very first initiative that the Prime Minister has taken up in the new Lok Sabha is to initiate a debate, amongst the lawmakers of our country. The Prime Minister mentioned that political parties that even have a single member elected to the Lok Sabha would be involved in this consultative process. This is a positive sign, and India has come a long way in strengthening parliamentary democracy in the last 70 years. Also, we are a mature democracy now.
• Thus taking the consensus of all political parties, and other stakeholders, including taking the judiciary into confidence would be the right way forward.

Logistical Challenges as far as the Election Commission is concerned:

• Logistical problems would definitely be there. First and foremost, we are using one voting machine at every polling station for taking a poll. If we hold simultaneous elections, the requirements for the EVM’s and the VVPAT’s will double. This is because, for every polling station, one would have to provide two sets.
• There would also be some additional requirement of polling staff as well.
• There would also naturally be difficulty in transporting all these materials to the polling stations. Thus, the requirement of transport, polling personnel, and the requirement of central police forces as well would need to be augmented.
• Also, even today in most of the states, a problem of storing the EVM’s is witnessed.
• After the elections, states face a problem that concerns storing the EVM’s. Thus, many states have taken godowns on rent. With simultaneous elections, the questions of storing double the EVM’s and double the VVPAT’s would emerge. Thus, logistical problems would emerge with simultaneous elections which would also demand the allocation of sufficient money.  
• So, there would be a tremendous one-time expenditure, but on the other side, there would be a tremendous saving on the other counts. Also, the country will not always be in an election mode. The Government would be doing constructive, administrative work. Currently, in our country, every 5-6 months at some region of our country, the Model Code of Conduct comes into operation. In those regions, during the period of the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, all the developmental activities normally suffer. Having said this, it is not going to be very difficult for the Election Commission if both the elections are synchronized.

Does constant electioneering hinder the work of Governance?

• In India, we have 31 assemblies which go to poll over a 5 year period.
• The elections are also taking place in our country at least twice or thrice in a year across States.
• This does affect the notion of governance and good governance.
• When we accept that we have to hold elections simultaneously once in 5 years, then this would not be a festival, but it would be a grand festival or a “Maha Utsav”. The entire administrative machinery of the Election Commission of India, the paramilitary forces, civilians, administrative officials, besides the political parties and candidates would have to be geared up for this mammoth exercise after a gap of 5 years. Besides the coherence in the electoral process, this would bring about governance, and the voters can judge the policies and programmes of the governments- both at the State level and at the Central level.
• It would be difficult, but certainly not impossible for the Election Commission of India to hold this exercise once in 5 years. In the recent Lok Sabha elections of 2019, in terms of the number of manning officials, around 2,60,000/- paramilitary forces were employed by the Government of India.
• Besides this, 10,00,000/- police officials were pressed into service all across States.
• There were also more than 10,00,000/-  polling booths across the country. Thus, if each polling station is being manned by around 4 people, along with 1 BLO (Booth Level Officer), making it a total of 5 people, we arrive at a figure of around 1 crore people involved in the process of conducting elections (paramilitary forces, civilians, administrative officials, and others being engaged). So, if you are holding the elections for all the assemblies and the Lok Sabha at one go (once in 5 years), one can save and optimize costs.  

Concluding Remarks:

• The final solution may lie in either a) amending the Constitution and going with a Presidential form of Government, or b) fixing the tenure of the assemblies and the Lok Sabha.
• It is very important to have a political consensus on this issue. The reason being that a Constitutional Amendment would have to be made. We have three ways wherein one can amend the Constitution of India.
• The nature of this issue would demand that apart from the 2/3rds majority in both the Houses of Parliament, it would require the ratification of at least half of the state legislatures. Thus, it is important that all the political parties are on the same page on this particular issue.
• It is important to note that in one of the recommendations made by the Law Commission of India, before the recently concluded general elections, was that the assemblies, who were to go in for election about 6 months in advance, or 6 months later, would actually be combined together.  
• An important question that arises here is whether or not parties such as the ruling BJP in certain states, like U.P. (which the BJP won with a thumping majority), would it like to dissolve the state assembly of U.P. just for the sake of simultaneous elections?
• One doesn’t get the impression that the political parties are in a mood to compromise, because winning an election is so difficult these days. There should be a greater consensus within the country on whether the nation should have a “One Nation, One Election” system. Only if the consensus is yes, should one take this forward?  

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Read previous RSTV articles here .

Multiple Choice Question

Consider the following statements

• Since its inception in 1950 and till 15 October 1989, the election commission was a one-member body with only the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) as its sole member.
• As per Law Commission recommendations, if simultaneous elections are to be brought in, then the Constitution of India would need to be amended. The Representation of People Act, 1951 would need to be amended.
• The Law Commission of India observed that simultaneous elections would save public money. It would also reduce the burden on the administrative setup and security forces.
• The idea of “One Nation, One Election” is not new. India has been holding the elections of the assemblies and the Lok Sabha from 1951-52 till 1967.

Choose the correct answer from the below-given options

A) All the above statements are true.

B) None of the above statements are true.

C) Only statements 1 and 4 are true.

D) Only statements 2, 3 and 4 are true.

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One Nation One Election: Key Highlights of the Kovind Committee Report

This Article is based on the news “ What it will take to have simultaneous elections in India: Unpacking the Kovind committee report ” which was published in the Indian Express. The High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation One Election, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind , recently submitted its report to the President.

Kovind Committee Report On One Nation One Election: Key Highlights

Constitution of kovind panel:.

• The High-level Committee (HLC), popularly known as the Kovind Panel, was constituted in September 2023 to study the possibility of simultaneous elections to all three levels of government.

Membership of the Panel:  

• Home Minister Amit Shah
• Former Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad
• Former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash C Kashyap
• Former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N K Singh
• Senior Advocate Harish Salve
• Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari
• Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was a Special Invitee to the Committee.

High-level Committee (HLC) Recommendations:

• The HLC has unanimously endorsed the idea and recommended the way forward in the report.

Recommendations Kovind Committee Report On One Nation One Election

Amendments to the Constitution:

• Article 83 deals with the duration of the Lok Sabha
• Article 172 deals with the duration of a state Assembly.
• No need for the state’s ratification.

Presidential Notification: 

• This is likely to follow a Presidential notification. 
• The notification will become null and void if the amendments fail to get parliamentary approval.
• If the amendments are adopted, simultaneous polls will become a reality, and the terms of most state governments will be truncated during the transition.

Two-Step Process:

• Elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies: In the first step, simultaneous elections will be held for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• These elections must be held within 100 days of the elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. This step will require ratification by at least one-half of the states.

Single Electoral Roll And Election ID: 

• Ratifying these amendments by at least half of the states would be necessary.

In Case of Hung House, Etc:  

• In the case of fresh elections to an Assembly , the new Assembly will continue only till the end of the term of the House of the People.

Meeting Logistics Requirements: 

• The committee has recommended that to meet logistical requirements, the ECI will plan and estimate in advance, in consultation with the State Election Commissions.
• It should also take steps to deploy staffing, polling personnel, security forces, EVMs/VVPATs , etc. 

What is Meant by One Nation One Election/Simultaneous Elections?

• Currently, all these elections are held independently of one another , following timelines dictated by the terms of every individual elected body.

Background of One Nation One Election

• Conduct of Simultaneous Elections: In India, general elections for the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• Due to successive central governments invoking constitutional provisions to dismiss state governments prematurely.
• With the frequent collapse of coalition governments at the state and central levels, the country began experiencing elections at different times throughout the year.

Benefits of One Nation One Election

Reduced expenditure:  .

• This would save the public and business community from pressure for election donations multiple times. 
• It will bring considerable savings to political parties and candidates in their election campaigns.
• It is estimated that the cost of holding general elections to the Lok Sabha is around ₹4,000 crore for the Central government. Each State assembly election would also cost a considerable amount of money according to the size of the State. 

Mitigate the Issue of Model Code of Conduct: 

• It can mitigate the issue of the Model Code of Conduct , which sometimes hinders the government from announcing projects or policy plans. By and large, no decisions are taken during elections due to the code of conduct. Therefore, key policy decisions get delayed at the Centre, the states, and local bodies.

Improved Governance: 

• Parties in government and the Opposition at both the Centre and states could concentrate on policy matters until the next general elections. Technical work presented by the panel shows that outcomes in the context of growth, inflation, investment, and public expenditure tend to be better after periods of synchronised elections.

Smooth Delivery of Public Services: 

• Even when no fresh policy decision is necessary, implementation of ongoing projects gets derailed during election periods as the political executive as well as governm ent officials would be engaged with election duties, neglecting routine administration.

Reducing Burden of Personnel Deployment: 

• This involves massive redeployment and huge costs . It also diverts key law enforcement personnel from their critical functions. Such deployment can be curtailed with simultaneous elections.

Uniform Electoral Rolls:  

• It will also make it easier for the citizens as they would not have to worry about their names missing from the electoral rolls once they are enlisted.

Curbing Black Money:  

• Frequent elections have been associated with the possibility of black money being turned into white money, leading to the emergence of a parallel economy . Holding one-time elections could help reduce such a possibility.

Fostering Unity: 

• Simultaneous polls promote a national perspective over regional ones , which is important for cultivating unity within the country.

Challenges Associated With One Nation One Election/ Simultaneous Elections

• Conducting Mid-Term Elections: It is a challenge to devise a mechanism to hold simultaneous elections because fresh elections may be needed for the House of the People or Assemblies before the completion of their terms for various reasons.
• Alteration of Basic Structure: Implementing simultaneous polls would require amendments in at least five articles of the Constitution to the Constitution (83, 85, 172, 174 and 356). 
• Simultaneous elections may also require amendments to anti-defection laws to prevent legislators from switching parties in line with the election cycle , which could potentially weaken the spirit of the concept.
• EVM Expenses: Doubling expenses on electronic voting machines (EVMs) could offset the potential savings from simultaneous polls.
• Model Code of Conduct (MCC): It is argued that it only prevents ruling parties from using government machinery for electoral gains rather than paralysing policy-making as overstated by some opponents.
• State governments in India have a large degree of autonomy and can oppose any move that violates their powers and attacks the autonomy of the states. 
• Moreover, the local elections follow a decentralised system of governance in which local bodies enjoy significant autonomy. 
• The simultaneous elections may affect their independent functioning, which is constitutionally protected.
• This can weaken this federal structure and increase the conflict of interest between the Centre and states.
• Financial and Administrative Challenges: Its implementation will require the allocation of massive financial and administrative resources . 
• Logistic Challenges: Logistical challenges could arise in organising simultaneous elections once every five years, especially with the deployment of security forces in large numbers for free and fair conduct.
• Change in Voting Behaviour: Every voter has different considerations and voting preferences at national, state and regional levels. 

• Simultaneous polls run the risk of national issues overshadowing local concerns in simultaneous elections. This will have the potential impacts on voter decision-making.
• Fading of Local Issues: Mixing of national and regional issues will lead to fading of local issues, distorting priorities and giving an unfair advantage to national parties over regional ones.
• Feasibility: Concerns arise over the feasibility of conducting elections across all state governments if a coalition central government collapses.
• Consensus Among Political Parties: Achieving political consensus on holding simultaneous polls among different political parties, especially regional parties, is a legal and political challenge. 
• International Examples Not Suitable for India: Comparing international examples (Sweden, Belgium, South Africa) to India may not be suitable due to the vast differences in population and area.

Way Forward

• Political parties under RTI: In order to ensure better transparency, accountability and democracy within political parties, bringing them under the framework of the Right to Information Act is recommended.
• Free and Fair Elections: Strengthening the role of ECI as a regulator and enhancing its monitoring capabilities to oversee poll expenditure at all levels would contribute to conducting free and fair elections.
• Electronic Voter ID cards: The use of IT-enabled tools like electronic voter ID cards can help eliminate bogus electors from electoral rolls, improving the accuracy and integrity of the voter registration process.
• State Funding of Elections: Exploring the idea of state funding for elections is proposed as a measure to reduce the influence of money power in politic s and promote a level playing field for candidates.
• Broad Consensus: The government will have to obtain consensus of all political parties as well as all state governments.

It is important that the recommendations are taken forward only with a wider political consensus . This is crucial because most national parties are not in favour of the idea . Holding simultaneous elections is not an end worth achieving if it undermines democratic values.

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Table of Content

• 1.1 UNIFORM CIVIL CODE (UCC)
• 1.2 CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2024
• 1.3 ONE NATION ONE ELECTION
• 1.3.1 Why in the news?
• 1.3.2 More on the news
• 1.3.3 About Simultaneous Election
• 1.3.4 Need for Simultaneous Elections: 
• 1.3.5 Issues with simultaneous election and recommendation given by the Committee
• 1.3.6 Conclusion
• 1.4 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
• 1.5 S.R. BOMMAI JUDGEMENT (1994)
• 1.6 SIXTH SCHEDULE
• 1.7 TEMPLE REGULATION IN INDIA
• 1.8 THE CINEMATOGRAPH (CERTIFICATION) RULES, 2024
• 1.9 News in Shorts
• 2.2 THE COMMONWEALTH
• 2.3 NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)
• 2.4 IMBL AND KACCHATHEEVU ISSUE
• 2.5 INDUS WATER TREATY
• 2.6 INDIA-EFTA TRADE AND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
• 2.7 INDIA-BHUTAN RELATIONS
• 2.8 News in Shorts
• 3.1 WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION
• 3.2 AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
• 3.3 FISHERIES SUBSIDIES AGREEMENT
• 3.4 CROSS-BORDER REMITTANCES
• 3.5 DIGITAL MONOPOLIES AND REGULATION OF DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
• 3.6 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT (HDR) 2023-2024
• 3.7 HCES 2022-23
• 3.8 Annual Report of the Ombudsman Scheme
• 3.9 UMBRELLA ORGANISATION FOR UCBs
• 3.11 INDIA’S GRAIN STORAGE SYSTEM
• 3.12 KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS
• 3.13 PATENTS
• 3.14 UNNATI 2024
• 3.15 EMPS-2024
• 3.16 News in Shorts
• 4.2 News in Shorts
• 5.1 PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT
• 5.2 BWM (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2024
• 5.3 GREEN CREDIT PROGRAM
• 5.5 INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE (IBCA)
• 5.6 GANGA RIVER DOLPHIN
• 5.7 ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING
• 5.8 URBAN WATER CRISIS
• 5.9 UN WORLD WATER DEVELOPMENT REPORT
• 5.10 DAM SAFETY
• 5.11 SUBDUCTION ZONE
• 5.12 News in Shorts
• 6.1 LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIPS
• 6.2 DECLINING TFR IN INDIA
• 6.3 News in Shorts
• 7.1 INDIA AI MISSION
• 7.2 INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS FOR AI
• 7.3 GHOST PARTICLES
• 7.4 FAST BREEDER REACTOR
• 7.5 HUMAN GENOME SEQUENCING
• 7.6 GENE THERAPY
• 7.7 CERVICAL CANCER
• 7.8 SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM (SMC)
• 7.9 SATELLITE-BASED TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM
• 7.10 MIRV TECHNOLOGY
• 7.11 News in Shorts
• 8.1 LACHIT BARPHUKAN
• 8.2 GEO-HERITAGE SITES
• 8.3 News in Shorts
• 9.1 HAPPINESS
• 9.2 BARE NECESSITIES AND SCARCE RESOURCES
• 9.3 RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS
• 10.1 PM ANUSUCHIT JAATI ABHYUDAY YOJNA

ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

Posted 15 Apr 2024

Why in the news?

The High-Level Committee (HLC) appointed by the Central Government has submitted a report to the President on "one nation, one election. 

More on the news

• The committee, headed by former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind , was established in September 2023 to examine the concept of 'one nation, one election' (ONOE).
• The committee advocated simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies.

About Simultaneous Election

• It is an idea aimed to synchronize the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies elections, Municipalities and Panchayats  such that voters in a particular constituency vote on the same day.
• Simultaneous elections do not mean that voting across the country  for all elections needs to happen on a single day .

Need for Simultaneous Elections: 

• It would reduce the financial burden on the government exchequer by avoiding duplication of expenditure on intermittent elections.
• Conducting elections to all three tiers of the Government together would avoid disruption of supply chains and production cycles due to migrant workers seeking leave of absence to cast their vote.
• Simultaneous Elections prevent policy paralysis due to frequent Model code of conduct.
• Focus on governance: Synchronising electoral calendars would ensure the availability of more time for governance and unhindered delivery of public services to citizens.
• Voter Participation:  Staggered elections induce ‘voters’ fatigue’ and present a significant challenge in ensuring their participation.
• Reducing the burden on courts: Simultaneous elections would reduce the number of election-related offences and disputes and lessen the burden on courts.
• Reducing identity politics:  Frequent elections use identity politics, like caste and class stirring division and disrupting societal cohesion.

Issues with simultaneous election and recommendation given by the Committee

The formation of the 'High-Level Committee' reflects a serious consideration of synchronizing elections in India. Addressing the challenges through transparent and inclusive dialogue with stakeholders, including legal experts, state governments, and representatives of minority communities, is crucial to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to 'One Nation, One Election'.

• Electoral Reform

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One Nation One Election, Advantages and Disadvantages, Highlights

One Nation One Election or Simultaneous elections concept is to synchronize the timing of Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across all States. Check all about One Nation One Election here.

Table of Contents

Ramnath Kovind Panel Report on One Nation, One Election

The High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election, chaired by Ram Nath Kovind, recommends synchronizing Lok Sabha, state Assembly, and local body elections in India. They propose 15 constitutional amendments through two bills.

• The first bill establishes the transition process, empowering Parliament to legislate on simultaneous elections. Amendments address premature dissolution of Houses and include Union Territories.
• The second bill focuses on local body elections, requiring state ratification. It introduces a Single Electoral Roll. Challenges include political coordination and logistical complexities. Successful implementation hinges on bipartisan support and meticulous planning to streamline electoral processes and enhance governance efficiency.

The high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind on One Nation, One Election presented the report to the President Droupadi Murmu. The 22nd Law Commission, which is examining the simultaneous polls issue, is also expected to submit its report to the Law Ministry and recommend the same from the 2029 general election cycle.

Simultaneous Election in India

Simultaneous elections, also known as “One Nation-One Election,” refer to the idea of conducting multiple elections at various levels of government, such as national parliamentary elections (e.g., Lok Sabha in India) and state or regional legislative elections, all at the same time or during a synchronized period. This concept aims to align the election schedules for different tiers of government to minimize the frequency of elections and their associated costs, streamline governance, and reduce disruptions caused by election-related activities.

One Nation One Election Debate History

The debate over the “One Nation-One Election” in India has a historical evolution that involves various committees, political personalities, and changing circumstances. Here’s a more detailed overview:

Throughout this evolving debate, political leaders from different parties have expressed both support and opposition to the concept. The discussion revolves around issues such as cost savings, efficient governance, political consensus, and the need for legal and constitutional changes to enable simultaneous elections. The “One Nation-One Election” debate continues to be a significant topic of national importance, as it involves fundamental changes to India’s electoral processes and governance structure.

Advantages of One Nation One Election

Here are the advantages of One Nation-One Election:

Disadvantages of One Nation One Election

Here are some points regarding the disadvantages of One Nation-One Election:

One Nation One Election UPSC

“One Nation-One Election” is a crucial topic for UPSC aspirants as it aligns with several keywords in the UPSC syllabus , including “Governance,” “Constitutional Framework,” and “Election Systems.” Understanding this concept is essential for candidates seeking to excel in UPSC examinations. Additionally, UPSC online coaching and UPSC mock tests often incorporate contemporary topics like “One Nation-One Election,” ensuring that aspirants are well-prepared to tackle relevant questions in the exam and stay updated with current affairs that may feature in UPSC papers.

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One Nation One Election FAQs

What is one nation one election concept.

The "One Nation-One Election" concept aims to synchronize all elections in India, from panchayat to parliamentary, to be held simultaneously.

Which part of the Constitution is the election in?

The elections in India are primarily governed by Part XV of the Constitution, which deals with "Elections."

How can you say that Election Commission of India is independent and powerful?

The Election Commission of India is considered independent and powerful because it operates autonomously, is insulated from political influence, and has the authority to conduct free and fair elections.

What are the three powers of Election Commission of India?

The three powers of the Election Commission of India include conducting elections, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, and recommending the disqualification of candidates.

Is it good to have political competition?

Political competition is generally seen as healthy for democracy as it promotes accountability, diversity of ideas, and citizen engagement in the political process.

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Home > Daily-current-affairs

Daily-current-affairs / 01 Sep 2023

One Nation One Election : Daily News Analysis

Date : 02/09/2023

Relevance – GS Paper 2 - Polity- Government policies and Intervention

Keywords – Simultaneous Elections, Constitutional Amendments, Parliamentary System, Electoral Reform, Election Commission,

The government has initiated steps towards achieving simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in India. Former President Ram Nath Kovind will lead the committee responsible for this effort. A special parliamentary session has been called from September 18-22 to discuss this matter. Implementing "one nation, one election" poses significant legal challenges, including changes to the Constitution, new legislation, consensus among states, and addressing post-poll complications related to the fixed five-year term for legislative bodies.

Historical Background

• The concept of simultaneous elections in India dates back to at least 1983 when it was first proposed by the Election Commission. However, India initially conducted simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha (House of People) and State Legislative Assemblies in 1951-52, and this practice continued in the subsequent General Elections of 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• Unfortunately, the cycle of simultaneous elections was disrupted due to the premature dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969. In 1970, the Lok Sabha itself was dissolved ahead of schedule, leading to fresh elections in 1971. Consequently, the First, Second and Third Lok Sabha were the only ones to enjoy full five-year terms.
• The frequent premature dissolutions and extensions of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies' terms led to separate elections for these bodies, disrupting the cycle of simultaneous elections that had been established earlier.

Advantage of simultaneous election

The "One Nation One Election" concept offers several advantages:

• Control Over Election Expenses: It can help regulate election and party expenses. In the initial Lok Sabha elections in 1951-52, 53 parties participated with poll expenses of 11 crore rupees. In contrast, the 2019 elections saw 610 political parties, around 9,000 candidates, and an estimated poll expenditure of 60,000 crore rupees (as declared by ADR).
• Cost Savings: Implementing this concept would save public funds and alleviate the burden on administrative structures and security forces. It would ensure the timely execution of government policies and enable the administrative machinery to focus on development rather than election-related tasks.
• Informed Voting: Voters would have the opportunity to assess the policies and performance of both state and central governments more effectively. This would make it easier for voters to compare political parties' promises with their actual implementation.
• Enhanced Governance: It can address governance challenges by discouraging politicians from making short-term decisions for electoral gains, thus promoting decisions beneficial for the country in the long run. Preparation Time: Conducting elections once every five years would provide more preparation time for all stakeholders, including political parties, the Election Commission of India (ECI), paramilitary forces, and civilians. Overall, "One Nation One Election" holds the potential to streamline the electoral process, improve governance, and optimize resource utilization.

Challenges of Simultaneous Election

Implementing "One Nation One Election" faces several challenges:

• Synchronization of Terms: To hold simultaneous elections, the terms of both the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies must align. Currently, some state assemblies have elections at different times, leading to variations in their terms. To achieve synchronization, constitutional amendments would be required, impacting Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356.
• Constitutional Amendments: Modifying the terms of legislative bodies necessitates changes in key constitutional articles, such as Article 83 (Lok Sabha term), Article 85 (Lok Sabha dissolution), Article 172 (State Legislative Assembly term), Article 174 (State Legislative Assembly dissolution), and Article 356 (President's Rule). Additionally, amendments to the Representation of the People Act and related parliamentary procedures would be essential.
• Parliamentary Form of Government: India's parliamentary system mandates that the government is accountable to the Lower House (Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly). If the government falls before completing its term, elections are imperative. Achieving "One Nation One Election" must address this inherent feature of the parliamentary form of government.
• Political Consensus: Convincing all political parties to support "One Nation One Election" is a formidable challenge. Different parties may have varying interests and concerns, making securing consensus on this significant electoral reform challenging.

Logistical challenges: associated with implementing "One Nation One Election" are as follows:

• Increased EVM and VVPAT Requirements: Currently, a single voting machine is used at each polling station. To conduct simultaneous elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) would need to double the supply of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) because each polling station would require two sets – one for the Legislative Assembly election and another for the Lok Sabha election.
• Additional Polling Staff: Conducting simultaneous elections would necessitate a larger pool of polling staff to manage both sets of elections simultaneously. This poses a recruitment and training challenge for the ECI.
• Logistics of Material Transport: Coordinating the transportation of election materials to polling stations, including EVMs, VVPATs, and other equipment, becomes more complex with simultaneous elections. Ensuring timely delivery and distribution to the right polling stations is critical.
• Enhanced Security Needs: Simultaneous elections would require heightened security measures, including an increase in Central Police Forces to maintain law and order at polling stations. Adequate security arrangements must be made to manage the dual electoral process effectively.
• Storage Challenges: The ECI already faces difficulties in storing EVMs after elections. With the need for a larger inventory of machines due to simultaneous elections, finding secure and suitable storage facilities becomes more pressing.

Addressing these logistical challenges is crucial for the successful implementation of "One Nation One Election" to ensure efficient and secure electoral processes.

Recommendations:

• The Law Commission of India recommended simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative.
• The 79th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice recommended a two-phase election schedule – one concurrent with Lok Sabha elections, the second in the mid-term of the Lok Sabha.
• The Election Commission has also extended its in-principle support for the simultaneous elections.

What are possible solutions?

Several solutions can be considered to address the challenges associated with "One Nation One Election" in India:

• Presidential Form of Government: One radical solution is transitioning to a Presidential form of government, where the President is not accountable to the House. In such a system, fixed election dates, similar to the United States, could be established for presidential and legislative elections, minimizing synchronization challenges.
• Switching to the Presidential form of government would mean altering the basic structure of the constitution
• Fixed Election Dates: Emulate the American model of fixed election dates for the President, Vice President, House of Representatives, and Senate. These fixed dates could be legally mandated, ensuring that elections occur at scheduled intervals, regardless of the parliamentary form of government.
• Alternative Leadership Selection: In the parliamentary system, if the government falls before completing its term, one solution is to invite the second or third leading person in the house or the leader of a political party to form the government. Alternatively, the House could be given the opportunity to elect its leader in such circumstances.
• Constitutional Amendment for Term Alignment: Amend the Constitution to align the terms of state legislative assemblies with that of the Lok Sabha elections. This would ensure that elections for both entities occur simultaneously. Additionally, synchronizing only the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections could be considered.
• Logistical Costs vs. Savings: While implementing "One Nation One Election" may entail some logistical costs, it is essential to consider the potential savings, such as reduced election expenditure. The net result could be cost-effective and efficient elections.

Ultimately, the choice of solution will depend on the Indian government's commitment to electoral reform and the ability to secure consensus among political parties for the necessary constitutional amendments and changes in election practices.

The concept of 'One India One Election' holds promise as a positive change, provided it is executed with meticulous attention to policies and regulations. Addressing the growing demand for skilled administrative staff and heightened security is crucial. Forming a dedicated group consisting of constitutional experts, think tanks, government officials, and political party representatives is essential to working out the intricate details of implementation. In a country where elections are celebrated as festivals, the transition to holding them once every five years nationwide would indeed be akin to a grand "Maha-Festival," consolidating the democratic process and reducing the administrative burden associated with frequent elections.

Probable Questions for UPSC Mains Exam –

• Discuss the historical background of the "One Nation One Election" concept in India. Highlight the key advantages it offers and the legal challenges associated with its implementation. What potential solutions can be explored to address these challenges? (10 marks, 150 words)
• "One Nation One Election" is a significant electoral reform that India is considering. Analyze the advantages and challenges associated with this concept. Evaluate the feasibility of implementing this reform within the framework of India's parliamentary form of government, and discuss potential solutions to overcome the hurdles in achieving simultaneous elections at various levels. (15 marks, 250 words)

Source – The Indian Express

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The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 16th August 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Reshape the Governance Structures of AI Companies

Why in news.

The way modern companies are run in capitalist and neo-capitalist economies typically focuses on putting shareholders first. This means that making profits and increasing wealth for shareholders and investors is the main goal, more important than other goals like benefiting the public. 

• On the other hand, some people support a different approach called stakeholder benefit. This way of running a company aims to maximize the advantages for all involved parties.

Potential of AI in India

• National Strategy For AI: A recent report by PwC mentioned that AI could add around $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. To tap into this opportunity, the government introduced the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI) in June 2018. This strategy acts as a guide for the government to use AI for better service delivery, collaborate with the private sector, and build capabilities to innovate.
• Deregulation of Geospatial Sector: The government has recently opened up the geospatial sector for private players to introduce advanced solutions, fostering innovation in AI-driven mapping and analytics. This move in India could revolutionize sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and urban planning for climate resilience.
• Geospatial: Geospatial information simply refers to location-based data tied to maps. It involves geography and mapping represented visually.
• Reducing Energy Losses: AI holds promise in the energy sector by enabling renewable energy producers and distribution companies to predict grid load management better, thereby reducing losses and improving efficiency. This could make renewable energy adoption more cost-effective, especially in places like Delhi and Kolkata where substantial revenue losses occur annually.
• Increased Governance: Through AI, the Power Ministry's Renewable Energy Management Centres (REMCs) can enhance their capabilities in forecasting, scheduling, and monitoring renewable energy. This is achieved by analyzing historical weather data, energy generation patterns, and regional electricity demands.
• AI solutions to Emerging Trends: Embracing AI for digital transformation enables governments to swiftly respond to emerging trends. Policymakers are exploring AI applications for improved tax monitoring and data compliance within the government framework.

Challenges With Wide Use of AI

• Thus, as AI usage increases, the right to privacy might be at risk due to unauthorized access to one's activity information.
• These major players have a significant advantage over smaller competitors, reflecting a society dominated by data.
• For instance, automated kiosks replacing human cashiers and robots being used in agriculture to replace manual labor.
• Additionally, AI could lead to the displacement of certain office jobs like accounting, financial trading, and middle management roles.
• This trend means that profits will be concentrated among those who own shares in AI-driven enterprises, potentially widening the gap between the digitally included and excluded.

Way Forward

• Need For Sensitisation and Capacity-building:  In the realm of public sector adoption of AI, it's crucial to raise awareness and enhance skills within the government.
• Create Enabling Ecosystem:  We should establish supportive environments in schools using diverse approaches with AI as a central focus to empower the next generation in developing practical AI solutions for India.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):  A recent initiative, Future Skills Prime, has demonstrated the power of collaborations between the public and private sectors by offering courses to various groups, including citizens, government personnel, and businesses.
• Uniform Standard Rules:  Setting standardized regulations will help grow markets for beneficial AI products and services.
• Collaborate Every Stakeholder:  As AI increasingly influences our daily lives, it's crucial for all parties—innovators, policymakers, educators, industry professionals, charitable organizations, international organizations, and civil society—to work together to guide AI's future toward positive goals.
• Need Ethics in AI:  There's a necessity for worldwide cooperation to ensure AI is utilized in a manner that is reliable, respects human rights, is safe and sustainable, and promotes peace.
•  The different groups involved must work together to ensure that AI is used for good purposes. 
•  India, with its advanced technology and large amount of data, can take the lead in successfully utilizing AI solutions, which will help in overall development and empowerment of society. 

Freedom Notes

P rime Minister Narendra Modi’s first Independence Day speech in his third term in office — the eleventh since 2014 — sought to signal continuity and authority, particularly in the context of the fact that he is now leading a coalition government. He called for a uniform civil code, terming it a secular measure agnostic of religious faiths, ‘one nation, one election,’ and increased safety of women against the backdrop of the sexual assault and murder of an on-duty doctor in Kolkata recently. Mr. Modi said there were attempts to destabilise the economy of the country, echoing the BJP’s view on a recent report by U.S.-based short seller Hindenburg Research that has accused the head of stock market regulator SEBI of conflict of interest. 

Here are the main takeaways from his address :

PM Modi underscored the theme of this year's Independence Day, "Viksit Bharat 2047," emphasizing that it represents the collective aspirations and determination of 1.4 billion Indians. He called on every citizen to contribute towards realizing this vision of a developed and prosperous India by the centenary of its independence.

Reforming Key Sectors

Highlighting significant reforms, Modi praised the government's efforts to revamp critical areas such as banking, education, and criminal justice. He emphasized the ongoing modernization of these sectors as crucial to India's growth and development.

Promotion of 'Secular Civil Code'

Addressing the need for a more inclusive legal framework, PM Modi advocated for the implementation of a secular civil code. He stressed that such a code would replace the existing communal civil code, ensuring fairness and equality for all citizens.

Safety for Women

In light of the widespread protests following the tragic murder and rape of an on-duty doctor in Kolkata, PM Modi emphasized the importance of publicizing the punishments for crimes against women. "The need of the hour is to widely publicize the punishment for atrocities against women to instill a fear of consequences," PM Modi asserted in his Independence Day 2024 address on Thursday.

Global Promotion of Ayurveda

In line with promoting traditional knowledge and medicine, the Prime Minister highlighted the global promotion of Ayurveda. This initiative aims to position India as a leader in alternative medicine, showcasing the benefits of Ayurveda to the world.

Expansion of Medical Education

Recognizing the challenges faced by medical students in India, PM Modi announced the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. This initiative aims to alleviate the need for students to study abroad and reduce the financial burden on middle-class families.

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness

Acknowledging the importance of disaster management, PM Modi outlined plans to enhance the country's capacity to handle natural calamities. This initiative aims to improve resilience and response strategies for better protection of communities.

Empowerment of Women and Rural Initiatives

The Prime Minister highlighted the empowerment of "lakhpati didis," women from self-help groups who have achieved significant economic success. This initiative showcases the government's commitment to women's empowerment and rural development, providing them with the tools and opportunities to thrive.

Achievements in Armed Forces and Banking Reforms

The Prime Minister took pride in the accomplishments of India's armed forces, particularly in surgical and air strikes, which have bolstered national pride. He also highlighted significant reforms in the banking sector that have strengthened financial stability and supported economic growth.

Promoting the Space Sector

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the rapid advancements in India's space sector, emphasizing the significant role played by private companies and startups in satellite and rocket launches. He noted, "The space sector has become a major focus area with numerous reforms underway. Today, we see many startups making their mark in this field," underlining the government's efforts to nurture innovation and expand opportunities in space exploration.

Enhancing Quality of Life for the Middle Class

Addressing the needs and expectations of the middle class, Modi reaffirmed his government's dedication to improving living standards and cutting through bureaucratic red tape. "We are committed to elevating the quality of life for the middle class and removing unnecessary obstacles," he stated, stressing the administration's focus on making everyday living more streamlined and accessible for all citizens.

Hence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech reflected the government's comprehensive approach to nation-building. From financial reforms to educational advancements, women's empowerment, and disaster preparedness, the initiatives outlined promise a progressive and resilient future for India. The emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and global leadership underscores the vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.

About Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• A Uniform Civil Code means having a single law that applies to everyone in India, regardless of their religion. This law covers personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
• The purpose is to replace the existing setup of different personal laws that currently regulate relationships and related issues within various religious communities.

Constitution of India on UCC

• Article 44 of the Constitution aims to ensure a Single Civil Law for all citizens in India.
• Article 44 is a guideline in the Constitution's Part-IV.
• These guidelines, not enforceable by courts, are crucial in governance.
• They include all the principles the State must consider when making policies and laws.

Present Status of Personal Laws in India

• Personal laws relating to marriage, divorce, and inheritance fall under the Concurrent list of the Indian Constitution.
• Both the Parliament and state legislatures have the authority to create laws concerning subjects listed in the Concurrent List.
• The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
• The Hindu Succession Act, 1956
• The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
• The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956
• The term 'Hindu' encompasses Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists under these laws.
• Unlike Hindu laws, Muslim personal laws are not consolidated into codes but are drawn from religious texts. Some aspects are recognized in specific acts like the Shariat Application Act, 1937, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, and Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
• Christians, Zoroastrians, and Jews have their distinct personal laws.

Exception of Goa

• Goa is currently the only state in India with a single set of laws for everyone.
• The Portuguese Civil Code of 1867, which is still used after India took over the region in 1961, is followed by all residents of Goa, no matter their religion or background.

Need for a Uniform Civil Code in India

• A Uniform Civil Code would provide equal status to all citizens irrespective of the community they belong to.
• Personal laws of different religions are widely divergent and there is no consistency in how issues like marriage, succession and adoption are treated for people belonging to different communities, which is contradictory to Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees Equality before the Law .
• Personal laws, because they derive from tradition and custom, also tend to give undue advantage to men.
• This becomes evident in examples such as Muslim men being allowed to marry multiple wives , but women being forbidden from having multiple husbands .
• Men (fathers) are also treated as ‘natural guardians’ and are given preference under the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act.
• A UCC could lead to consistency and gender equality in India.

Criticism of Uniform Civil Code

• Although it supports fairness in the legal system, the concept of a UCC conflicts with the Right to Freedom of Religion, found in Article 25 of the Constitution.
• Individual personal laws allow people to follow their own faith, which is crucial, especially for minority groups.
• The UCC might be used to undermine this right, marginalize minorities, and standardize culture.
• A forward-thinking and open-minded attitude should be promoted among individuals to grasp the essence of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
• To achieve this, educational initiatives, awareness campaigns, and sensitivity programs need to be implemented.
• At the same time, unfair personal laws should be revised or eliminated accordingly.
• In its document entitled "Reform of Family Law" (2018), the Law Commission recommended a balanced approach that upholds the variety of personal laws while ensuring they align with fundamental rights.
• The report proposed that through the systematization of diverse personal laws, fundamental principles emphasizing fairness over a blanket enforcement of a Uniform Civil Code can be established.

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PM on One Nation, One Election

• 27 Nov 2020
• GS Paper - 2
• Transparency & Accountability
• Indian Constitution
• Government Policies & Interventions

Why in News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India has addressed the concluding session of the 80 th All India Presiding Officers Conference via videoconference, at Kevadiya (Gujarat) on the occasion of Constitution Day (26 th November).

• He raised the pitch for ‘One Nation, One Election’ , a single voter list for all polls and also asked the presiding officers to simplify the language of statute books and allow for an easier process to weed out redundant laws.
• He also paid tributes to the security forces and appreciated India’s efforts to fight terrorism. The day marked 12 years of the Mumbai terror attacks.
• The idea is about structuring the Indian election cycle in a manner so that elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies are synchronised together so that the election to both can be held within a given span of time.
• Help keep a check on the poll expenses, party expenses, etc. and also save public money.
• Reduce the burden on administrative setup and security forces.
• Ensure timely implementation of the government policies and also ensure that the administrative machinery is engaged in developmental activities rather than electioneering.
• Solve the problem of governance on the part of the politicians who are ruling. It is generally seen that for short term political gains from a particular assembly election, ruling politicians avoid taking a harsh long term decision which can ultimately help the country in the long run.
• Provide more time to all the stakeholders i.e. political parties, Election Commission of India (ECI), paramilitary forces, civilians for the preparation of elections once in five years.
• The synchronisation is a major problem considering the traditions and conventions that India’s Parliamentary system follows. The government is accountable to the Lower House and it is possible that the government can fall before completing its term and the moment the government falls, there has to be an election.
• It is difficult to convince and bring together all the political parties on the idea.
• For holding simultaneous elections, the requirements for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) will double as the ECI has to provide two sets (one for election to the Legislative Assembly and second for that to the Lok Sabha).
• There will also be an additional requirement of the polling staff and for better security arrangements.
• India held the elections for the assembly as well as the Lok Sabha from 1951-52 to till 1967. As such, therefore, there are no disagreements on adequacy and efficacy of the idea. India can even think of holding elections at the same time even for the local bodies.
• To sync the term of the State Legislative Assemblies with that of the Lok Sabha, the term of the state legislative assemblies can be reduced and increased accordingly. However, to do so, constitutional amendments may be needed in Articles 83, 85, 172, 174 and 356.
• In India, fixing the dates is not feasible because of the Parliamentary form of government so one radical solution is to switch to the Presidential form of Government where the President is not accountable to the House.
• Synchronising only the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
• Only one voter list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections.
• A common electoral roll will save an enormous amount of effort and expenditure as the preparation of a separate voters list causes duplication of the effort and the expenditure.
• Persuading the state governments to tweak their respective laws and adopt the ECI voters list for municipal and panchayat polls.
• Requires a massive consensus-building exercise.
• The mature approach calls for the option of states adopting EC’s voter list.
• The EC’s voters list has to be made in a way to fit the State Election Commissions’ wards which is a tedious task but can be done by the use of technology.

All India Presiding Officers Conference

• It began in 1921, and the Gujarat event marks its centenary year.
• It emphasises on the need for coordination between all three wings of the state, viz. Legislature, Executive and Judiciary and suggests them to be guided by the Constitution which mentions their role to their decorum.

Way Forward

• Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work. Therefore, it’s a must to have a deep study and deliberation on the idea in order to prevent the impact of the model code of conduct on development works every few months.
• There needs to be a consensus on whether the country needs one nation, one poll or not. All political parties should at least cooperate in debating this issue, once the debate starts, the public opinion can be taken into consideration. India being a mature democracy, can then follow the outcome of the debate.

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UPSC NDA II 2024: Essential preparation tips and syllabus overview

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