One Nation One Election: All You Need To Know

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. The report of the committee has come a day after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government has convened a special session of Parliament for five days between 18-22 September 2023.

The assembly polls in five states are due this year in November or December which will be be followed by the Lok Sabha elections which is likely to be held in May-June 2024.

One Nation One Election : What does it mean?

• “One Nation, One Election” aims to synchronise elections for the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Indian Parliament) and all state assemblies.
• 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.

Major features

• Voting for Lok Sabha as well as State Assembly elections will take place on the same day or around the same time.
• The decision to task ex-President Mr Kovind underscores the Union governments seriousness into the subject.
• A concept heavily advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• It opens the possibility of advancing the general elections and some state polls, which are scheduled after and with the Lok Sabha contest.

Why the scheme?

• 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.
• It will facilitate the BJP-led Union government to re-examine India’s electoral processes.

Pros

• Simultaneous polls could help save time and money. Separate elections require huge amount of financial resources.
• Governments could get five stable years to focus on governance instead of wasting time into polls and winning strategies.
• Enhance the efficiency of the country’s administrative functions, which are normally affected to slow down as the officials engages in polling duties.
• Reduce disruption of normal public life as political rallies and shows kept to a minimum.
• Boost voter turnout as it will be more convenient for them to cast votes at once.
• National issues make a deeper impact than the regional.
• India had simultaneous polls before — in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967.

Cons

• Requires 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 issues might get overshadowed by the national issues, affecting the electoral outcome at the state level.
• It would be difficult for the regional parties to compete with national parties in terms of election expenditure and election strategies.

Read Also

• ‘One-Nation, One-Election’: Centre Forms Committee Headed By Ram Nath Kovind

What does the Constitution say?

• The Constitution does provide sufficient room to make amendments to implement such a reform.
• Article 83 (2) of the Constitution provides for a normal term of five years for Lok Sabha. Article 172 (1) provides for similar tenure for state legislative assembly from the date of its first sitting.
• Lok Sabha and State Assemblies do not have a fixed term and can be dissolved earlier. But their terms cannot be extended beyond 5 years unless an emergency occured.
• Implementing the new decision may require multiple constitutional amendments. It will also require a great deal of political support and understanding.

The BJP favoring 

• The concept was heavily advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014. According to him, continuous election cycles are a financial burden and hinders development.
• The BJP”s performance in State polls are often inferior to its show in Lok Sabha elections. But the simultaneous elections might results the Modi factor to play a bigger role stripping regional agendas.

The Opposition points

• The scheme will arbitrarily curtail or extend the terms of existing legislatures to bring their election dates in line with the due date of the rest of the country. Thus it will undermine democracy and federalism.
• May influence the voter behaviour – Voters would end up voting on national concerns even for State elections.
• It eventually led larger national parties to win both State and Lok Sabha elections.
• Marginalises regional parties, who do better in State assemblies.
• They also accuses BJP that the move is in fear of INDIA alliance.

The Responses

• Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema – “India is a democratic country and it is not possible (to implement it). BJP wants to destroy the country. It is dangerous for the Constitution of the country. It should not be done…”
• Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde – “I welcome “One Nation, One Election”. It will save the money spent on elections and that money can be used for welfare schemes… People have decided to elect PM Modi again in 2024…”
• Maharashtra Deputy CM & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis –  “It is the right proposal. When elections keep happening in the country, due to the model code of conduct imposed in different parts many works get derailed and resources are used for it. With “one nation, one election”, there will be no waste of money and the process of reforms will continue well”.
• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath – “It is a praiseworthy effort. On behalf of the people of UP, I express gratitude towards the PM for this. “One nation, one election” is the necessity of the day. During the process of elections, development works or new policies get hindered. It is required that we conduct Lok Sabha , Assembly and all other elections together. I welcome this step…”
• Former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress leader Kamal Nath – “For this, not just an amendment in the Constitution but also approval of states is also needed. In BJP-ruled states like Haryana and Maharashtra, they can decide and pass a proposal in the Cabinet to dissolve their respective assemblies…You can”t just cut short the duration of a State assembly, it doesn”t work like this”
• Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi – “Why is the opposition scared about it? Democracy is about evolution; India is the mother of democracy. This is part of evolution”.
• Congress MP Pramod Tiwari – “I am seeing this for the first time that a former President has been made chairman of a committee formed by govt. Former Chief Justice and former SC judges could have done it. They finished the dignity of the post of President as the inauguration (of new Parliament building) was done by the PM instead of the President. Now by doing this, they are setting a wrong tradition…”
• Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin – “If they (Central Government) call for early elections, we are ready to face it.”