The One Nation One Election panel, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is gearing up for discussions with political leaders in the upcoming days as part of its efforts to present its report ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The committee’s upcoming meeting is set for February 10. Up until now, the committee has received feedback from 26 out of the 47 parties it approached for their opinion on simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Background and Context
One Nation One Election is a electoral system where the voting for all three tiers of government – Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies are held simultaneously on the same day.
The idea of One Nation One Election is not new to India, as it was implemented in the early years. From the very first general election in 1952 until 1967, elections were held simultaneously for both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This was disrupted for the first time in Kerala even before 1965, when the State Assembly was dissolved prematurely, leading to the removal of then Chief Minister E.M.S Namboodiripad, and an election was conducted mid-way. Similar instances unfolded in politically volatile situations, such as in Orissa in 1971, 1974, 1977, and 1980; Bihar in 1969 and 1972; Haryana in 1968 and 1972; and West Bengal in 1967, 1969, 1971, and 1972.
An array of factors, such as passing no-confidence motions, assembly dissolutions, party defections resulting in a loss of majority, emergency proclamations, and non-political reasons, contributed to the rescheduling or advancement of elections.
Need for implementing One Nation One Election
Reduction in Cost
Currently, with elections taking place throughout the year, the government faces substantial financial burdens which can be avoided if simultaneous elections are conducted. For instance, the 2009 Lok Sabha elections cost Rs. 1115 crores, the 2014 elections cost Rs. 3870 crores, and the 2019 Lok Sabha election alone incurred an expenditure of around Rs. 60,000 crores. These expenses are borne not only by the Election Commission but also by the Central and State governments.
MCC and Policy Paralysis
The Moral Code of Conduct is enforced during elections, prescribing guidelines for political parties and candidates. It takes effect from the date of notification issuance, restricting the ruling government from introducing new policies or programs, regardless of urgency. With frequent elections occurring throughout the year, the constant application of the Code hampers the country’s development.
Efficient Security Force Deployment
The Election Commission consistently requires security presence not only on polling day but also until the counting of votes and declaration of results. Due to higher demand than supply for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), state and district police forces are utilized, diverting them from their primary duties. During the 16th Lok Sabha elections, approximately 10 million personnel were engaged as polling officials across 9,30,000 Polling Stations nationwide, averaging about 10.75 personnel per polling station. Employing such a significant police force once every five years is a more prudent and efficient alternative than utilizing them exclusively for elections throughout the entire year.
Curbing Black Money Circulation
Candidates contesting in Lok Sabha elections are restricted to a maximum spending limit of Rs. 70 lakhs, while the cap for state assemblies is set at 28 lakhs. However, there is no such spending limit imposed on political parties. This lack of regulation for parties is often seen as a significant loophole leading to the infusion of black money into the electoral process. The implementation of simultaneous elections could help mitigate this issue to a considerable extent.
Potential Increase in Voter Turnout
With voters being urged to cast their votes on a single day, there is a chance for higher voter turnout. Additionally, some argue that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) might be more inclined to participate, considering elections occur once every five years for both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies on the same date.
CHALLENGES
Overshadowing of States by Center and Suppression of Regional Parties
Conducting simultaneous elections raises concerns about the potential overshadowing of states by the Centre and the suppression of regional parties. The disparity in resources, including election expenditure and campaigning capabilities, puts regional parties at a disadvantage against their national counterparts. Additionally, the divergent areas of interest between the center and the states further accentuate these challenges..
Public trust and Acceptance.
Citizens must have confidence in the security, fairness, and transparency of the One Nation One Vote system. Addressing concerns related to electoral fraud, hacking, and misinformation campaigns are essential to foster public trust. Public awareness campaigns and education initiatives are necessary to inform citizens about the new system, its benefits, and the security measures in place to protect their votes.
Hung assemblies, Coalition shifts
A hung assembly occurs when no party secures a majority. In this situation, the President or Governor cannot invite any party to form a government. This poses a significant issue as it defeats the purpose of conducting simultaneous elections, necessitating a fresh election. Additionally, in a coalition government where no party has a single majority, any shift or withdrawal by another party can destabilize the government, causing it to lose majority in the house.
Adaptability and Scalability.
As India continues to grow and evolve, the electoral system must be flexible enough to accommodate future changes in technology, demographics,and societal needs. Scalability is crucial to ensure that the system remains effective and efficient, regardless of the size of the electorate or the complexity of the elections
Constitutional Challenge
The implementation of simultaneous elections is an enormous undertaking. This is primarily due to the necessity of amending the constitution and other relevant laws, including the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950, and 1951. Achieving a constitutional amendment requires majority support in both houses, and the lack of consensus among political parties makes it a formidable challenge.
CONCLUSION
The concept of One Nation One Election (ONOE) has emerged as a transformative idea, aiming for a more efficient democratic process. While the vision of synchronizing all elections in India is compelling, it comes with intricate challenges. Implementing ONOE requires meticulous planning, political consensus, and a deep understanding of India’s diverse socio-political landscape.
ONOE signifies a complex paradigm shift involving legal amendments, a delicate balance between centralized governance and regional autonomy, and addressing socio-economic disparities in voting access. Thoughtful deliberation and collaborative efforts are instrumental in navigating the path toward the future of India’s democratic processes.
