TWO DAY NATIONAL CONFERENCE

ON
Electoral System In India: Present Scenario
and Prospects
[6th and 7th October, 2018]

TITLE: ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

Author: Aruba Ansari

BA.LLB 7th Semster
+919760201966
arubaansari06@gmail.com
Glocal Law School, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur
Co-author: Mohan Kumar Pal
BA..LLB 7th Semster
+918384842578
palm13901@gmail.com
Glocal Law School, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur

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Keywords: Cleanse the political funding, decriminalize, Election Commission, Narendra
Modi, etc.

Elections in India are massive, festive events. But frequent elections also disrupt governance,
deplete the exchequer and promote competitive populism. Politicians’ preoccupation with elections
leads to a permanent campaign mode at the cost of decision-making. With a view to cleanse the
political funding and decriminalize politics, the Election Commission (EC) is working towards a
comprehensive review of the election laws. Former Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on 7th
September, 2016 said that the poll panel is eagerly awaiting government's response on its slew of
proposals to decriminalize politics and cleanse political funding.
Elections and political process have four practical purposes in a democracy. First, they should
encourage the best and brightest into public life. Second, the most honest, competent and public
spirited candidates suited to promote public good must be electable by ethical means. Third,
parties should offer clear alternatives to people in terms of policies and priorities. Fourth, once
elected, those in office should be able to govern effectively and deliver on the mandate
obtained.
One Nation, One Election is a proposed electoral reform in India. It has been proposed to hold a single
election for both Lok Sabha and States instead of separate and continuous elections. "Why PM
Modi‟s idea of „One Nation, One Election‟ may not work"? (The Financial Express, 7 September
2016). Prime Minister Narendra Modi‟s idea of holding simultaneous elections in the country may be
desirable but it may not work in a country as vast and diverse as India, according to experts. Recently
in an interview to a news channel, PM Modi had said too many elections in the country were coming in
the way of the development of the country. Noting that the country is trapped in the cycle of elections,
“It is time to take it out of this cycle. It is time to stop connecting everything with politics.”

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