One Nation One Election: A Flawed Proposal with No Future?

Summary

The video script discusses the concept of 'One Nation, One Election' in India, highlighting the challenges and implications of synchronizing national and state elections. It critiques the proposal, suggesting it undermines the federal structure and could lead to increased political manipulation. The script also addresses concerns about the feasibility and cost of conducting simultaneous elections and questions the composition of the committee formed to study the issue, implying bias and lack of constitutional expertise.

Takeaways

• 📰 Former Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram's article in The Indian Express on September 22 criticizes the One Nation One Election concept as impractical and politically motivated.
• 🗳️ The concept of One Nation One Election proposes simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies, but the exact timing remains unclear.
• 🏛️ The idea of simultaneous elections was first suggested by the Election Commission of India in 1983 to streamline the election process and reduce costs.
• 📉 P Chidambaram argues that the proposal undermines the federal structure of India by potentially diminishing the importance of state governments.
• 🤔 The constitutionality of One Nation One Election is questioned, as it may require significant amendments to the Constitution, affecting the basic structure doctrine.
• 👥 The composition of the committee formed to examine One Nation One Election is criticized for lacking constitutional experts and being politically biased.
• 🗓️ The implementation of One Nation One Election could disrupt the term of existing state assemblies, leading to premature or extended terms.
• 💡 Experts fear that the proposal could centralize power and reduce the autonomy of states, which goes against the federal structure of India.
• 🌐 The cost of conducting simultaneous elections is highlighted as a significant concern, with no clear benefits outlined to offset these expenses.
• 🔄 The potential for political manipulation is raised, as the proposal could be used as a tool to suppress dissenting voices and maintain control through the threat of new elections.

Q & A

What does the term 'One Nation One Election' refer to?

The term 'One Nation One Election' refers to the proposal to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament), Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament), and all state legislative assemblies in India.

Who declared 'One Nation One Election' as dead on arrival?

The former Home Minister of India, P. Chidambaram, declared 'One Nation One Election' as dead on arrival in an article published in The Indian Express.

What is the requirement for passing a bill into law in India?

In India, for any bill to become law, it requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Parliament, which the ruling party does not have.

When was the idea of 'One Nation One Election' first proposed?

The idea of 'One Nation One Election' was first proposed by the Election Commission of India in 1983.

What was the recommendation of the Law Commission regarding simultaneous elections?

The Law Commission recommended that conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies could reduce the frequency and cost of elections.

What were the findings of the report by the Kovind Committee on the matter of simultaneous elections?

The Kovind Committee recommended constitutional amendments for simultaneous elections but also noted that some of its suggestions, like keeping panchayat elections separate, do not actually constitute simultaneous elections.

What are the concerns raised by P. Chidambaram regarding the composition of the Kovind Committee?

P. Chidambaram raised concerns about the composition of the Kovind Committee, stating that it lacked constitutional experts and was not representative of the opposition's views.

What are the potential impacts of 'One Nation One Election' on India's federal structure?

Experts fear that 'One Nation One Election' could undermine India's federal structure by reducing the significance of diverse states and potentially centralizing power.

What are the logistical challenges of implementing 'One Nation One Election' as highlighted in the script?

The logistical challenges include the need to set up new voting centers, select and train new polling officers, and ensure security, all within a short span of three months after the previous elections.

How does the script suggest that 'One Nation One Election' could affect future state assembly elections?

The script suggests that if 'One Nation One Election' is implemented, state assembly elections held between the simultaneous national elections could have their terms shortened, leading to potential political instability and unnecessary elections.

What is the argument made by P. Chidambaram about the timing and frequency of elections?

P. Chidambaram argues that politicians are more amenable to public demands during election times and that frequent elections could ensure that politicians remain accountable.