Should India Adopt "One Nation, One Election"? | Vantage with Palki Sharma

Summary

The 'One Nation, One Election' concept aims to streamline India’s electoral process by conducting all general, state, and local elections simultaneously. This idea, which was practiced post-independence but disrupted in the 1950s and 60s, is being revisited by Prime Minister Modi’s administration with a special committee led by former President Kovind. Key benefits include cost savings, reduced resource deployment, and improved focus on governance, while challenges include regional issues being overshadowed, logistical complexities, voter education, and legal ambiguities. While similar practices exist in other countries, India's unique political landscape requires an adapted approach. The success of this initiative hinges on political consensus and thorough preparation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The idea of 'One Nation, One Election' means holding all elections—general, state, and local—simultaneously in India.
• 😀 This concept was practiced post-Independence, but the election cycle broke in the 1950s and 1960s due to political instability.
• 😀 Prime Minister Modi's government aims to implement 'One Nation, One Election,' with the BJP having promised it in both 2014 and 2019.
• 😀 A special committee headed by former president Ramnath Kovind has been created to discuss and prepare a report on this idea.
• 😀 The government has called for a special parliamentary session in September to potentially discuss 'One Nation, One Election.'
• 😀 One major benefit of simultaneous elections is cost savings, as the 2019 general election alone cost around 60,000 crore rupees.
• 😀 Another benefit includes a reduced burden on security forces and poll officials, as elections would be held only once rather than multiple times.
• 😀 With fewer campaigns, governance can get more focus, avoiding the constant election-mode that currently affects political leaders.
• 😀 Simultaneous elections could increase voter turnout, particularly for voters who live far from their home constituencies.
• 😀 However, some challenges include the possibility of national issues overshadowing regional ones, which may harm smaller parties and regional concerns.
• 😀 Additional logistical challenges include the need for more electronic voting machines (EVMS) and educating the public about the new system, especially since simultaneous elections haven't been held in India since the 1960s.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'One Nation, One Election' in India?

The concept refers to holding all elections in India—general elections, state assembly elections, and local elections—simultaneously, instead of spreading them out over several years.

Why did India move away from simultaneous elections in the 1950s and 60s?

Simultaneous elections ended when several state governments were dismissed by the center or dissolved prematurely, which caused the timing of elections to become misaligned.

What has the current Indian government proposed regarding 'One Nation, One Election'?

The government, led by Prime Minister Modi, aims to revive the idea of simultaneous elections and has formed a special committee to examine its feasibility.

Who is leading the special committee tasked with evaluating 'One Nation, One Election'?

The special committee is headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

What are the main advantages of holding simultaneous elections in India?

The main advantages include cost savings, reduced burden on resources like security forces and election officials, increased focus on governance, and higher voter turnout.

How could simultaneous elections save money in India?

Holding all elections together would reduce the costs associated with organizing separate elections, such as the expenses for security, election officials, and logistical efforts. For example, the 2019 general elections cost around 60,000 crore rupees.

What potential disadvantage could arise from holding all elections simultaneously in India?

One significant disadvantage is that regional issues may be overshadowed by national concerns, as general elections tend to attract more attention than state elections.

What logistical challenge would India face in implementing simultaneous elections?

Simultaneous elections would require a significant increase in the number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), potentially requiring three times as many as are currently used.

What is a key challenge regarding voter education for simultaneous elections in India?

Since India last held simultaneous elections in the 1960s, educating voters—especially a new generation—is a key challenge. Voters would need to understand how to vote for multiple elections on the same day.

What legal complications could arise with simultaneous elections in India?

Legal confusion could occur if a state assembly is dissolved prematurely or if a government loses its majority. The situation may require clarity on whether presidential rule would be imposed until the next election.

How do other countries handle simultaneous elections, and could their systems be applied to India?

Countries like Belgium, Sweden, Brazil, South Africa, and the U.S. have systems where national and local elections overlap. However, due to India's unique political structure, with multiple political parties and a first-past-the-post system, directly copying their models may not work.