RSTV: THE BIG PICTURE- ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

insightsonindia.com/2019/06/18/rstv-the-big-picture-one-nation-one-election

June 18,
2019

RSTV: THE BIG PICTURE- ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

Introduction:

Chairing an all-party meeting on the eve of the first session of the new Lok Sabha, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited heads of all parties to a meeting on June 19 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.

What is “One Nation, One Election”?

Simultaneous elections refer to holding elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative
Assemblies simultaneously, once in five year.
The idea of holding elections simultaneously is in news after it got a push from Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.

Background:

Simultaneous elections were held in the country during the first two decades after
Independence up to 1967.
Dissolution of certain Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 followed by the dissolution of the
Lok Sabha led to the “disruption of the conduct of simultaneous elections.”

What are the pros of implementing simultaneous polls?

Money and administrative expense will be drastically cut, political parties spend a
lot on elections campaigning
In 1951 elections, 53 political parties contested and the expense declared was 11
crores.
In recent 2019 elections, 610 political parties contested and the expense as per
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 ADR is 60,000 crores
Government will have time for some constructive work because imposition of model
code of conduct for such a long time is hampering developmental and welfare
activities.
The ruling parties will be able to focus on legislation and governance rather than
having to be in campaign mode forever.
The entire State and District level administrative and security machinery will be busy
with the conduct of elections twice in a period of five years as per the current practice.
Large numbers of teachers are involved in the electoral process which causes
maximum harm to the education sector.

What are the cons of implementing simultaneous polls?

Amendments to the constitution: To conduct simultaneous elections in India, many

amendments to the constitution of India are to be made.
Article 83 of the Constitution provides for the tenure of both Houses of the
Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
Article 83(2)11 provides for a term of five years for Lok Sabha, from the date of
its first sitting unless dissolved earlier.
Article 172 (1) provides for five year tenure for State Legislative Assembly from
the date of its first sitting.
The provison to Article 83 (2) of the Constitution provides that when a
proclamation of emergency is in operation, the term of the House may be
extended for a period not exceeding one year at a time by Parliament by law
and not extending in any case beyond a period of six months after the
Proclamation has ceased to operate.
Similar provision also exists for State Legislative Assembly under the proviso to
Article 172 (1) of the Constitution.
Article 85 (2)(b) of the Constitution of India provides the President with the
power to dissolve Lok Sabha. Similar provision for dissolution of State Legislative
Assemblies by the Governor of State is provided under Article 174 (2)(b)
The Representation of People Act 1951, which covers various modalities of
conducting elections in the country, also needs to be amended.
Simultaneous elections threaten the federal character of our democracy.
Large national parties would reap the economies of scale of one large election every
five years, to the disadvantage of regional parties.
It is against the constitutional fabric.

Recommendations:

Law Commission of India recommended simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and

State Legislative.
79th report of the parliamentary standing committee on Law and Justice
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 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.

Challenges:

Political parties were divided on the issue of holding simultaneous elections during
consultations with the Law Commission of India.
Simultaneous elections would involve arbitrary curtailment or extension of the
tenure of a House — the legal propriety of which is questionable.
Such a measure would undermine federalism as well as representative democracy.
The core problem is Parliamentary form of government in which government is
accountable and can fall before it completes its term.
Our parliamentary system is complex, different and difficult compared to other parts
of the country.
Need of political consensus because it requires constitutional amendment.

Way forward:

‘One India One Election’ would be a good change if it could be carried out with the
proper execution of policies and rules, taking care of the rising need for good
administrative staff and security.
A focused group of constitutional experts, think tanks, government officials and
representatives of political parties should be formed to work out appropriate
implementation related details.

Elections in India are celebrated as festival and if they happen once in every 5 years all
together throughout the country then it would be Maha-Festival.

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