One Nation, One Election: Can all types of elections be held simultaneously in India, i.e. Lok Sabha, Assembly and local body elections etc. This question has remained in discussion since the days of the meetings and debates of the Constituent Assembly. Many times after independence, all the elections were held simultaneously, but after almost two decades, the way the rhythm of simultaneous holding of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections got disturbed, since then this debate has been becoming more intense. The committee formed last year under the leadership of former President Ramnath Kovind has now submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu.
Table of Contents
It is important to understand what recommendations have been made in this report, and what impact those recommendations could have…
When former President Ramnath Kovind was handing over these documents to President Draupadi Murmu, he was also preparing a new ground of One Nation, One Election for India. On September 2 last year, the panel formed under the leadership of former President Kovind submitted its 18,626-page report to the President. It is clearly written that in the first phase of constitutional amendment, Lok Sabha and all assembly elections should be held simultaneously. There will be no need for approval from the states for this.
Challenges of One Nation One Election
In the second phase of constitutional amendment, local body elections should be held along with Lok Sabha and Assembly. Local body elections should be held within 100 days of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. This requires amendment in Article 324A, for which the approval of at least half the states is required. Kovind Committee also recommends that a voter list and photo identity card will be necessary for three-tier elections. For this, there will be a need to amend Article 325 of the Constitution, which will require the approval of at least half the states. Also, the tenure of the Lok Sabha or Assembly formed after the mid-term elections will be the same as the remaining tenure of the Lok Sabha. For this, the Kovind Committee consulted 47 political parties, out of which 32 parties are in favor of simultaneous elections, but 15 political parties including Congress and TMC do not agree with it.
Now the question arises that why did the situation like one country, one election arise, what benefits can be derived from it, for which so many efforts were made….
On an average, five to six elections are held in the country every year, whereas local body elections are different from these. The government spends a lot on elections. Besides, political parties also spend a lot. Different elections lead to instability and uncertainty. Supply chain, investment and economic development are hindered. There are often interruptions in the work of government machinery. People’s suffering increases due to obstruction in government system. Government officials and security forces repeatedly devote their energy to election duty. Often the code of conduct hinders policy making. Often development work comes to a halt due to code of conduct. So many elections also tire the voters and most of their time is spent in election mode.
The 2019 Lok Sabha election was the most expensive election in the world.
Firstly, elections in India have become very expensive. The 2019 Lok Sabha election was the most expensive election in the world. According to Setter for Media Studies, Rs 55 thousand crores were spent in that election, that is why experts believe that the wide scope of elections should be covered.
Till the fourth general election in 1967, central and state elections were held simultaneously.
After independence, from 1952 to the fourth general election in 1967, central and state elections were held simultaneously, but later this rhythm got disturbed due to the fall or dissolution of state governments. Then, during the period of coalition governments, the election noise started increasing again and again at the doorstep of voters. Now it is expected from the Kovind Committee report that one country, one election will become a means of easily taking democracy forward.
