ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

Posted 15 Apr 2024

4 min read

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.

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:

Economic benefits
- 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

Issues	Committee observations/recommendations
Legal challenges to amend the Constitution to synchronise of election	Two steps to manage this challenge: Firstly, hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. To attain this step, Constitutional Amendment Bill will be introduced amending Article 83 (Duration of Houses of Parliament), and Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures), and insertion of Article 82A will be made. For this Amendment, ratification by the States is not required. Secondly, within the hundred days of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies elections, synchronize the elections for Municipalities and Panchayats. For this purpose, another Constitutional Amendment Bill will be introduced in which insertion of Article 324A (to synchronise elections of Municipalities and Panchayats) and amendment to Article 325 (to enable Single Electoral Roll and Single Elector’s Photo Identity Card) of the Constitution will be made.
Issue of hung Parliament/Assembly and premature dissolution.	In the event of a hung House or no-confidence motion, the Committee proposes fresh elections for the House of the People, serving only the unexpired term of the preceding full term. Similarly, for State Legislative Assemblies, new elections shall last until the House of the People's full term ends. A Constitution Amendment Bill will have to be introduced in the Parliament amending Article 83 and Article 172.
Altering state elections would violate the rights of the states.	Report counters the concern by mentioning Articles 327, empowers Parliament to make provisions with respect to Parliament and state elections. Committee recommends need to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Sections 14 and 15 deal with notification for general election and Part IX, comprising Sections 147 to 151A, deals with bye-elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies.
Synchronisation of elections to the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies	The committee proposed that the President of India issue a notification on the date of the first sitting of the House of the People after a General election, designating it as the Appointed date for the synchronization of elections. An Implementation Group should be constituted to oversee the execution of the recommendations.
Related to logistics and manpower,including EVMs, VVPATs	Election Commission of India draw up a plan for making logistical arrangements. The commission can estimate in advance for the procurement of equipment, such as EVMs and VVPATs, deployment of polling personnel and security forces, and make other necessary arrangements.

Conclusion

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'.