'One-Nation, One-Election': Centre Forms Committee Headed By Ram Nath Kovind (Image:https://twitter.com/ramnathkovind)
The central government has formed a committee on Friday, to explore the possibility of “One Nation One Election” scheme, headed by Former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. Mr Kovind, a lawyer and politician, served as the 14th president of India from 2017 to 2022.
The decision was introduced ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections that is to be held in India between April and May of 2024, to elect the members of the 18th Lok Sabha.
The significant development will facilitate the BJP-led Union government to re-examine India”s electoral processes. The committee will led an investigation to understand the feasibility of implementing “One Nation One Election”, a concept heavily advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to this concept, elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies across the country will be held simultaneously, with voting presumably taking place around the same time. Currently, elections to the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha are held separately. They are held after the five-year term of the incumbent government ends or if it is dissolved due to various reasons.
Speculation has heightened about a possible rescheduling of electoral timelines, both for the Lok Sabha and various state assemblies, says reports.
Mr Kovind supported Narendra Modi”s view when he became the President in 2017. “Frequent elections not only impose a huge burden on human resources but also impede the development process due to the promulgation of the model code of conduct,” Hindustan Times quoted Mr Kovind addressing Parliament in 2018.
Currently the assembly polls are due in five states including Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Rajasthan in the time period of 2023 November and December. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh assemblies are scheduled to go to the polls with the Lok Sabha elections that are scheduled for May-June next year.
The major advantage of “One Nation One Election” as indicated by the Union government is as they would cut down on the costs involved in separate elections. They also argue that the proposed system will enhance the efficiency of the country”s administrative functions, which are normally affected to slow down as the officials engages in polling duties.
According to the Law Commission, holding simultaneous elections will boost voter turnout as it will be more convenient for them to cast votes at once.
However, one-nation, one-election would need a constitutional amendment and then it need to be taken to state assemblies. The Representation of the People Act as well as other parliamentary procedures will also need to be amended.
It is not a new concept having taken place four times in the 1950s and 60s, but India has fewer states and a smaller population that could vote then.
Regional parties are strongly opposing the movement in fear as they would not be able to raise their local issues strongly as national issues take centre stage. It would also be difficult for them to compete with national parties in terms of election expenditure and election strategies.
