Opinion | Why simultaneous elections are the need of the hour

Latest update:November 03, 2024 04:41 PM IST

Since 2014, Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly advocated a return to simultaneous elections, highlighting their potential to reduce government spending and minimize disruptions caused by the intermittent application of the model code of conduct.

ONOE allows the government to concentrate on governing, the author writes. (PTI file)

A high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind was set up last year to study the technical, legal and logistical implications of the One Nation One Election (ONOE) programme. On October 31, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed the proposal during the National Unity Day parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, further emphasizing how simultaneous elections would promote democratic processes and rationalize resource allocation.

Prime Minister Modi shared his vision for a unified approach to governance, saying: “We are working towards creating One Nation, One Election that will strengthen India’s democracy, ensure efficient use of resources and accelerate India’s path to becoming a developed country.” that several reforms under the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government have helped “unify our systems”. These include ‘One Nation, One Tax’ through Goods and Services Tax (GST), ‘One Nation, One Identity’ with Aadhaar, and improvements in social services through schemes like ‘One Nation’ “One Ration Card” and “One Nation, One Health Insurance Scheme” under Ayushman Bharat.

Talking specifically about ONOE, the proposal seeks to synchronize elections, including holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all state legislatures across India. Currently, elections are held separately for the Lok Sabha and separate state assemblies, leading to frequent elections and enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). This, in turn, leads to the emergence of various administrative obstacles, which are not favorable either for resources or for management. ONOE is committed to ending these unwanted administrative restrictions.

Since 2014, Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly advocated a return to simultaneous elections, highlighting their potential to reduce government spending and minimize disruptions caused by the intermittent application of the model code of conduct. ONOE mainly operated until 1967-68, but was interrupted due to various reasons such as desertions, layoffs and government dissolution. Subsequently, due to defections and counter-defections between parties, several legislative assemblies were dissolved, which ultimately led to divided polls in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Technically speaking, the synchronized cycle of simultaneous elections was first broken in Kerala in July 1959 when the Center invoked Article 356 of the Constitution to dissolve the ministry headed by EMS Namboodiripad of the Communist Party, which came to power after the April 1957 elections. This was followed by state elections in February 1960.

On September 18, 2023, the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi approved the preliminary proposal for simultaneous elections. The plan includes simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and provisions for holding polls in city, municipal and village panchayats within 100 days of the primary elections. Currently, the ECI is responsible for elections to the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies, while elections to local bodies of municipalities and panchayats are conducted by state election commissions.

The Kovind-led panel has recommended as many as 18 constitutional amendments, most of which do not require ratification by state assemblies. However, this will require certain constitutional amendment bills to be passed by Parliament. However, some proposed changes to the Uniform Voter List and Uniform Voter ID would require ratification by at least half the states.

Simultaneous elections were the norm in the early years of the Indian Republic. This cycle of simultaneous elections was completely interrupted in 1967-68 when several state assemblies were prematurely dissolved by the then Union government exercising its power under Article 356. Some sections of the society termed simultaneous elections as undemocratic and unconstitutional. It’s hard not to notice the irony when we consider the genesis of the disruption to electoral cycles that began under Congress. The reckless accusation by the Congress that the Modi government is unilaterally trying to impose ONOE is misplaced and baseless. During the Kovind Committee consultations, 47 political parties submitted their views to the committee. Thirty-two of the 47 parties supported the idea of ​​simultaneous elections; only 15 parties did not do this. Many of these 15 parties have supported the concept of simultaneous elections in the past. These 15 parties did not seem to be guided by any solid logic or reasoning.

ONOE allows the government to concentrate on governing. Today, every few months we witness one or two elections taking place in the country. The nation’s attention is focused on this election. There is actual paralysis of control at different levels to varying degrees. ONOE will lead to continuity in political decisions. Even when no new policy decisions are required, implementation of ongoing projects is disrupted during periods when the political executive as well as government officials are busy with election duties. It is said that one of the main causes of political corruption is frequent elections. During every election, a huge amount of money has to be collected. Election expenses of political parties can be significantly reduced if elections are held simultaneously. There will be no duplication of fundraising. This will relieve the public and business community from repeated pressure to solicit donations for elections. In addition, EC costs can be reduced if elections are held simultaneously. Of course, the EC will have to invest a significant amount of money initially to create the necessary infrastructure for synchronized elections, but this one-time cost is certainly worth it as the long-term benefits will be realized in the long run.

Those who claim that simultaneous elections will be a harbinger of a unitary state are mistaken. Again, there are concerns that simultaneous elections will influence voting behavior as national and local issues could become confused and distort priorities, giving an unfair advantage to national parties at the expense of regional parties. Such fears are exaggerated and have no logical basis. Voters today are aware of both local and national issues, and to suggest they would be confused if elections were held at the same time is an insult to the voters’ intelligence.

Admittedly, it may be a little difficult to find a suitable time slot given the geographical and administrative variations associated with weather, agricultural cycle, exam schedules, religious festivals and public holidays in a huge country like India. However, the positives of simultaneous elections far outweigh any perceived negatives. The sheer logistics involved in holding simultaneous elections, in terms of requisitioning and moving men, women and materials, may make the undertaking mammoth, but it is certainly doable.

Moreover, allegations that simultaneous elections could lead to misuse of Article 356 or early dissolution of the Lok Sabha or any of the state assemblies are a figment of the imagination of those who do not want ONOE. True, there will be a lot of amendments to laws, rules and regulations that will be required, which will complicate the task, but it will certainly be worth it. Amendments to the Constitution will include Articles 83 (Term of Houses), 85 (Dissolution of Lok Sabha), 172 (Term of State Legislatures), 174 (Dissolution of State Legislatures), 356 (Dissolution of Constitutional Apparatus) and Tenth Schedule (ensures that all issues of disqualification arising as a result of desertion were decided by the presiding officer within six months). Ratification of amendments by at least half of state legislatures may also be required in some cases as a precaution.

The amendments to the laws would, among other things, require changes to the Representation of the People Act 1951 such as section 2 (adding a definition of “simultaneous elections”) and sections 14 and 15 (Notification of general and assembly elections). The procedures and working order of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will need to be amended by replacing “Here is a no-confidence motion” with “A constructive no-confidence motion.”

Ultimately, a meeting of the minds can be a good start towards achieving the goal of ONOE. But bringing this idea to fruition will require not only a meeting of minds and political consensus, but also a strong determination to act in the broader national interest. And of course, the courage of conviction, the ability to visualize and the desire to implement and successfully implement even the most seemingly difficult initiatives are something that Prime Minister Modi possesses in abundance. Be it “One Nation”, “One Tax”, “One Nation”, “One Mobility Card” or for that matter “One Nation”, “One Ombudsman” or even “One Nation, One Ration Card”, The Modi government has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to think big and then ensure that those big ideas are effectively implemented on the ground.

Larry J. Sabato famously said, “Elections are always determined by the people who show up.” This, in turn, makes it necessary to make elections less frequent, so simultaneous elections are an idea whose time has come. a strong and decisive leader like Prime Minister Modi, who has the vision and courage of conviction to see things through.

Sanju Verma is an economist, national spokesperson of the BJP and the author of the best-selling book Modi’s Gambit. The views expressed in the article above are personal and belong solely to the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of News18.