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

Gaurav Soni March 14, 2024 04:40 2720 0

Context: Recently, High-level Committee (HLC) headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind on One Nation, One Election submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu.

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

What is One Nation One Election (Simultaneous polls)?

One nation one election, also known as synchronized elections or simultaneous elections, refers to the practice of holding multiple elections for various levels of government (such as national and state) at the same time or on a synchronized schedule.
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

Pros and Cons of One Nation One Election (Simultaneous polls): Implications for India

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 encourage 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: Synchronizing elections 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 favor larger national parties, potentially disadvantaging regional parties.
Accountability Concerns: Fixed terms without the threat of recall could reduce government accountability and encourage autocratic tendencies.

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: Simultaneous elections 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: Simultaneous elections would reduce the disruption caused by deploying a large number of civilian and police personnel for extended periods during elections.
- Enhancing Governance: The approach of simultaneous elections 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 also 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.

One nation One election

Image Source: Hindustan Times

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.

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 following recommendations:

For the Lok Sabha

Any ‘no-confidence motion’ should also include a ‘confidence motion’ in favor 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 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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Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is One Nation One Election (Simultaneous polls)?

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

Pros and Cons of One Nation One Election (Simultaneous polls): Implications for India

Constitutional Amendments Needed for Implementing One Nation One Election in India

Support for One Nation One Election by Various Committees in India

One Nation One Election: Global Perspectives and Practices

Way Forward: Proposed Strategies for Implementing Simultaneous Elections in India

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "One Nation One Election"?

Why are simultaneous elections in India considered beneficial?

What constitutional amendments are needed for One Nation One Election in India?

Are there any challenges to implementing One Nation One Election in India?

How have other countries implemented One Nation One Election?

What is the proposed way forward for implementing simultaneous elections in India?

Can smaller political parties benefit from simultaneous elections?

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