'One Nation, One Election': Is it feasible? Here is a speed read

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (September 18) approved the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, which seeks to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls. Here we reproduce an earlier article probing the big question: Is the idea feasible at all in such a big country like India?

The BJP-led NDA government is likely to implement “One Nation, One Election” in its third term as it seeks to fulfil one of the key promises made by BJP in its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

With the NDA regime all set to complete its 100 days on September 17, media reports attributed to government sources say the promise of simultaneous polls will be fulfilled within the next five years. Sources also claimed that the BJP's key allies, including TDP and JDU, also support the idea.

PM Modi’s Independence Day pitch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a strong pitch for “One Nation, One Election” in his first Independence Day speech of his third term last month, saying frequent polls were creating hurdles in the country's progress. He has often spoken about bringing the country out of the endless cycle of elections, which leads to a wastage of resources and money.

The basic idea of “One Nation, One Election” is to conduct Lok Sabha as well as state assembly polls simultaneously. Currently, Lok Sabha and state Assemblies have varying election schedules depending on their dissolution or other factors.

However, Opposition parties led by the Congress have resented the idea, saying it is not pragmatic to implement on ground. Besides, those opposing the government move have come out with their own set of arguments.

The Federal takes you through pros and cons of this idea, which some contend, is practically impossible to implement in a vast country like India.

Will cut cost of holding polls

One of the major arguments in favour of “One Nation, One Election” is that it will significantly curtail the cost of conducting elections. Moreover, it will also ease the burden on administrative and security forces who otherwise are engaged in election duties during considerable period of the year.

The Law Commission argued that the simultaneous elections will lead to high voter turnout because it will be easier for people to cast votes for Lok Sabha and Assembly polls at once.

Another argument given in favour of this idea is that the government can focus more on governance rather than being in an election mode most of the time during its five-year stint.

Constitutional changes, no consensus

The move would require the government to initiate changes in the Constitution and other legal frameworks. The Kovind panel report said that a Constitution Amendment Bill will have to be introduced in Parliament amending Article 83 (Duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures). This constitutional amendment will not need ratification by the states.

Opposition parties have time and again voiced their concern, stating that the regional issues might get overshadowed by the national issues if elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies are held together.

Moreover, the consensus over the issue remains a big hurdle in the implementation of the idea, as many Opposition parties do not agree with the ruling BJP. Many aks

Challenges galore in implementation

The idea will require the premature dissolution of State Legislative Assemblies. It is being argued that altering the fixed terms for Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies would violate the Constitution’s basic structure which provides that duration will be for five years “unless dissolved sooner”.

It was contended that no provisions have been made to solve the problem of hung parliament/assembly in case simultaneous polls are held. Besides, a government may fall when the ruling party loses its majority in the assembly or chooses to shift alliances. To address this issue, the Kovind committee recommended that fresh elections may be held to constitute the new House in the event of a hung house, no-confidence motion or any similar incident where the fall of a government is imminent.

Those against the move had also questioned as to how the elections to Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and local bodies can take place simultaneously. To address the issue, the Kovind panel recommended simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies in the first phase. And in the second phase, the elections to Municipalities and Panchayats could be held within 100 days of the elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

Moreover, there will be logistical issues like manpower, EVMs, and VVPATs. The Kovind panel recommended that the Election Commission of India draw up a plan for making logistical arrangements for the conduct of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The EC 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.

Countries holding simultaneous polls

Countries where simultaneous elections are conducted are South Africa, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, the Phillipines.

Before submitting its report, the Kovind-led panel studied election processes in six countries including South Africa, Sweden and Belgium.

For instance, in South Africa, voters cast their ballots for both the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures simultaneously. However, municipal elections are held separately from provincial ones in a five-year cycle.

The panel noted that Sweden follows the proportional electoral system, which means that political parties are assigned a number of seats in the elected assembly based on their share of votes.