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One Nation One Election: Significance, Implications, and Global Perspectives

Gaurav Soni October 21, 2024 10:11 14323 0

Learn about One Nation One Election, its history, significance, benefits, challenges, and recent developments, including constitutional amendments needed for simultaneous elections in India.

One Nation One Election: Significance, Implications, and Global Perspectives

One Nation One Election: The One Nation, One Election proposal, recently approved by the Indian government, aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and local bodies across the nation. This action seeks to streamline the election process, reduce costs, and improve governance by limiting the frequency of election-related disruptions. A high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind has been set up to explore the feasibility of this ambitious plan. The proposal has created widespread debate which highlights the potential benefits such as cost savings and consistent governance, but also raising concerns about its logistical and constitutional challenges. In this guide, we will provide an overview of why this proposal is in the spotlight, the key recommendations of the committee, and the history of the proposal.

Why One Nation One Election Is in the News?

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections under the chairmanship of former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind. It proposed simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as the first step, and municipal and panchayat polls within 100 days of the general election in the next phase. 

The objective of this report is to reduce electoral fatigue, improve governance, and minimize public expenditure. 

Some sources indicate that the bill for conducting these simultaneous elections is expected to be introduced during the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

One Nation One Election: Recommendations of High-Level Committee

  1. Elections have been held simultaneously between 1951 and 1967.
  2. Law Commission: 170th report (1999): One election to Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies in five years.
  3. Parliamentary Committee 79th Report (2015): suggest methods for simultaneous elections in two phases.
  4. High Level Committee chaired by Shri Ram Nath Kovind extensively consulted a broad spectrum of stakeholders including political parties and experts.
  5. The report is available online at: https://onoe.gov.in
  6. Extensive feedback has showed there is widespread support for simultaneous elections in the country.

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How One Nation One Election will be Implemented and Way Forward

  1. Implement in two phases.
  2. In first phase: conduct Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously.
  3. In second phase: Conduct local body elections (panchayat and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections.
  4. Common electoral roll for all elections.
  5. Will initiate detailed discussions throughout the country.
  6. Constitute an implementation group.

What is One Nation One Election (Simultaneous polls)?

One nation one election, also known as simultaneous elections, refers to the practice of holding elections to Lok Sabha, all the state assemblies, and local bodies – municipalities and panchayats, together.

  • It would mean that the voters will cast their vote for electing members of the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies on a single day, at the same time (or in a phased manner as the case may be).

History of One Nation One Election (Simultaneous polls) in India

The concept of One Nation, One Election dates back to India’s early years of independence when simultaneous elections were held for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, the cycle was disrupted after 1967 due to the premature dissolution of some state assemblies and the Lok Sabha itself in 1970. Since then, elections have been held separately, leading to increased costs and administrative challenges. The idea was revived in recent years as a potential reform to streamline India’s electoral process.

One Nation One Election

Pros and Cons of One Nation One Election (Simultaneous Election)

Advantages of One Nation One Election 
  • Cost Reduction: It could save money by eliminating the need for separate election cycles.
  • Focus on Long-Term Governance: It encourages politicians to prioritize long-term governance over short-term gains.
  • Increased Voter Turnout: Voters are less fatigued, as they only participate once every few years, potentially boosting voter turnout.
  • Level Playing Field: Smaller parties can compete more effectively with larger ones due to reduced overall election expenses.
  • Efficient Use of Security Forces: It allows security forces to be deployed more efficiently for other purposes.
Disadvantages of One Nation One Election
  • Synchronization Challenges: Synchronizing elections in a diverse democracy like India can be difficult, particularly if governments lose confidence in their assemblies.
  • Constitutional and Federalism Issues: Its implementation may require constitutional changes and could potentially challenge the federal nature of the Indian political system.
  • Impact on Voter Behavior: Voters may confuse national and state issues in simultaneous elections, blurring the distinctiveness of state-level politics.
  • Impact on Regional Parties: It may favour larger national parties, potentially disadvantaging regional parties.
  • Accountability Concerns: Fixed terms without the threat of election could reduce government accountability and encourage autocratic tendencies.

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Constitutional Amendments Needed for Implementing One Nation One Election in India

The policy of One Nation One Election is not possible in the current framework of the constitution, so we require some essential amendments in the constitution to implement this policy:

  • Article 83 of the Constitution: Duration of Houses of the Parliament, we are required to fix the time and the tenure of the house of people.
  • Article 85 of the Constitution: Sessions of the Parliament, prorogation and dissolution, there must be some guidelines for the dissolution of session; it must not be done on vague and ambiguous reasons.
  • Article 172 of the Constitution: Duration of the state legislature.
  • Article 174 of the Constitution: Sessions of the Parliament, prorogation, and dissolution.

Support for One Nation One Election by Various Committees in India

  • The first Annual Report of the Election Commission of India in 1983: It proposed the idea of conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies. The report put forth several compelling reasons for this proposal, including:
    • Cost Savings: It would result in substantial cost savings by avoiding redundant administrative expenses incurred in separate elections.
    • Efficient Voter Roll Updates: Conducting electoral roll revisions simultaneously would lead to significant cost savings and increased efficiency.
    • Minimizing Disruption: It would reduce the disruption caused by deploying a large number of civilian and police personnel for extended periods during elections.
    • Enhancing Governance: It would help maintain a more stable administrative setup, preventing the sidelining of regular government functions and developmental work during election periods, ultimately benefiting the common citizen.
  • The 170th Report of the Law Commission of India in 1999: It endorsed the concept of simultaneous elections.
  • In 2015, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice:  in its 79th Report, suggested the adoption of simultaneous elections as a means to achieve long-term good governance.
  • The Ram Nath Kovind-led committee has been formed to explore the feasibility of implementing “One Nation, One Election.” The Union Cabinet recently cleared the report submitted by this panel. The committee supports the idea of conducting simultaneous elections. This committee’s report aligns with earlier recommendations from bodies like the Law Commission and NITI Aayog, which have also supported this reform for its potential benefits.

One Nation One Election: Global Perspectives and Practices

South Africa
  • In South Africa, elections are held for National Assembly, Provincial Legislature and Municipal Councils in a five-year cycle. 
  • The electoral system for National and Provincial Assemblies is based on “party-list proportional representation”, which means that parties are represented in the proportion of electoral support to them.
Sweden
  • Elections to Sweden’s County Councils and Municipal Councils occur simultaneously with the general elections (elections to Riksdag every four years).
  • Whereas, the elections of the Municipal Assemblies occur generally on the second Sunday of September after every five years.
Belgium
  • In Belgium, one can vote in five different types of elections.
  • Elections for the Federal Parliament are normally held every five years, coinciding with the European (and consequently also regional) elections.

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Way Forward: Proposed Strategies for Implementing Simultaneous Elections in India

  • Conducting election in two phases: A Parliamentary Standing Committee suggested that simultaneous elections be considered in two phases.
    • Phase I is suggested to be in sync with that of the Lok Sabha elections.
    • Phase II is suggested approximately mid-way in the term of the Lok Sabha.
    • Thus, it is envisaged to conduct elections every 2.5 years (30 months) in the country once the entire electoral cycles of Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies are synchronized
  • Avoiding premature dissolution: The Election Commission has made the following recommendations:

For the Lok Sabha
  • Any ‘no-confidence motion’ should also include a ‘confidence motion’ in favour of a named individual as the future Prime Minister.
  • If dissolution cannot be avoided:
    • If the remainder of the term is short, the President can administer the country with a Council of Ministers appointed by him until the next House is constituted.
    • If the remainder of the term is long, fresh elections may be held, and the House’s term should continue for the rest of the original term.
For Legislative Assemblies
  • In case of a ‘no-confidence motion,’ a simultaneous ‘confidence motion’ for an alternative government should be mandatory, reducing the chances of premature dissolution.
  • If an existing Legislative Assembly must be dissolved prematurely, the Governor can administer the State with a Council of Ministers appointed by him, or the President’s Rule can be imposed until the term’s expiry.

  • Schedule of Bye-elections: The Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended that bye-elections to all seats that become vacant during a year may be conducted together during a pre-determined time period.
  • Law Commission recommendations: It had suggested that elections of legislative assemblies whose term ends six months after the general elections to Lok Sabha can be clubbed together. However, the results of such elections can be declared at the end of the assembly’s tenure.

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FAQs On One Nation One Election

"One Nation One Election" refers to the practice of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (national) and state assemblies at the same time.

Simultaneous elections can lead to cost savings, long-term governance focus, increased voter turnout, and efficient use of resources like security forces.

Amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174 of the Indian Constitution are required to enable simultaneous elections.

Yes, challenges include synchronization difficulties, potential impact on federalism, voter behavior complexities, and implications for regional parties.

Some countries like South Africa, Sweden, and Belgium have elections for different levels of government synchronized at various intervals.

One proposed approach is to conduct elections in two phases, syncing state elections with Lok Sabha elections, and avoiding premature dissolution through specific recommendations.

Yes, smaller parties may compete more effectively with larger ones due to reduced overall election expenses, creating a more level playing field.
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