PM Modi’s NEXT masterplan for 2025 | One Nation One Election | Abhi and Niyu

Summary

The video discusses the concept of 'One Nation, One Election' in India, examining its potential benefits and challenges. The speaker analyzes the idea through three flags: green, yellow, and red. Green flags highlight the historical precedence of simultaneous elections, simplified processes, and improved voter convenience. Yellow flags caution against the economic impact and additional costs, while red flags raise concerns about power centralization, local issues being overlooked, and voter education. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing governance over political campaigning and suggests reforms for a more effective electoral process, ultimately leaving viewers to consider whether India truly needs 'One Nation, One Election.'

Takeaways

• 😀 One Nation One Election aims to simplify India's electoral process by conducting all elections at the same time, improving governance and saving time for voters.
• 😀 Historically, India conducted simultaneous elections from 1951 to 1967, but the cycle was disrupted due to political instability in state assemblies.
• 😀 The supporters of One Nation One Election argue that simultaneous elections would lead to better governance and voter turnout, as it would be more convenient for voters, including NRIs and students.
• 😀 Economic benefits are expected from One Nation One Election, with a potential 1.5% increase in GDP, though critics caution about misuse of the saved funds.
• 😀 While the government incurs most of the election-related costs, political parties also spend significantly on campaigns. The impact of cost reduction depends on the efficiency of fund utilization and prevention of corruption.
• 😀 Critics argue that One Nation One Election could centralize power, potentially marginalizing regional parties and local issues, leading to a less democratic system.
• 😀 The complexity of running simultaneous elections in a country with 1.4 billion people presents significant logistical challenges, including the need for extra resources and planning.
• 😀 One key concern is that local issues might get overshadowed by national-level campaigns, and regional leaders may not have the resources to compete effectively.
• 😀 Many voters are not well-educated about the roles of MPs and MLAs, which may lead to poor voting decisions. Improved civic education is needed for voters to make informed choices.
• 😀 A suggestion is to shift elections to the winter season to avoid heat-related health issues, improve voter participation, and potentially reduce air pollution during election periods.

Q & A

What is the core idea behind the 'One Nation, One Election' concept?

The core idea behind 'One Nation, One Election' is to simplify the election process by holding national and state elections simultaneously. This would allow political parties to focus on governance for a period of four years instead of being constantly in election mode, and reduce the disruption caused by frequent elections across the country.

Why did 'One Nation, One Election' work in India from 1951 to 1967?

'One Nation, One Election' worked in India from 1951 to 1967 because during this period, both the general elections and state assembly elections were held together. However, the cycle broke after 1967 due to political instability and premature dissolutions of state assemblies, disrupting the synchronized election schedule.

What are some of the potential benefits of implementing 'One Nation, One Election'?

The potential benefits include simplified election processes, cost savings, reduced disruptions in governance, and more efficient use of resources. It would also reduce the frequency of election-related activities, such as rallies, roadblocks, and security concerns, allowing the government to focus on governance for longer periods.

What challenges could arise from 'One Nation, One Election' in terms of local representation?

One significant challenge is the concentration of power at the national level. Local issues could be overshadowed by national campaigns, making it difficult for smaller regional parties and local leaders to gain attention. This could weaken local governance and reduce the accountability of representatives for specific regional issues.

How could 'One Nation, One Election' affect voter turnout and participation?

Supporters argue that 'One Nation, One Election' could improve voter turnout by reducing voter fatigue and increasing convenience, as elections would occur less frequently. It could also make it easier for NRI (Non-Resident Indians) and students abroad to participate in elections by ensuring elections happen at a set time.

What are the economic implications of 'One Nation, One Election'?

Economically, 'One Nation, One Election' could lead to significant savings in election-related costs, such as organizing multiple elections, transport, and security. However, experts caution that savings might be negated if the funds saved are not used correctly or are siphoned off due to corruption. Additional costs for equipment like extra EVMs and ballot papers could also arise.

What is the concern regarding the concentration of power under 'One Nation, One Election'?

A major concern is that 'One Nation, One Election' could lead to excessive centralization of power, where national parties dominate, overshadowing smaller regional parties. This could result in local issues being neglected, and make it harder for smaller, regional parties to operate effectively.

What role does voter education play in the success of 'One Nation, One Election'?

Voter education is crucial to ensuring that citizens understand the roles and responsibilities of various elected officials at different levels (e.g., MPs vs. MLAs). Without proper awareness, voters might struggle to make informed choices, especially when elections are held simultaneously, potentially leading to confusion and reduced voter effectiveness.

How could the timing of elections, particularly during summer or winter, impact voter participation?

Holding elections during summer can result in voter discomfort due to heatwaves and long waits in queues, potentially leading to health issues like heatstroke. Shifting elections to winter could improve voter turnout by making the process more comfortable and less physically taxing for the electorate.

What specific recommendations were made to improve the current election system in India?

One key recommendation is to hold elections during the winter months to avoid the discomfort and health risks of summer elections. Additionally, the importance of better voter education, improving the quality of debates and discussions, and ensuring that political parties focus more on governance rather than electioneering was emphasized.