New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government came one step closer to its aim of ‘one nation, one election’ as the Union Cabinet today approved the proposal put forth by the Ramnath Kovind committee to hold simultaneous polls in India.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the report of the high-level panel on ‘one nation, one election’ was submitted to the Cabinet and subsequently approved. The report was submitted in March ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024 by the panel headed by former President Ramnath Kovind.
The high-level committee recommended holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the initial step, followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions with the Congress saying holding simultaneous elections in the country is not practical, claiming it was an attempt by the Centre to divert people’s attention from important issues. However, many are wondering why the NDA government is pushing for it. Let’s take a deep dive into the idea.
Why Modi government want ‘one nation, one election’?
The main reason for ‘one nation, one election’ is to save time, money, and resources. Elections in India are frequent and expensive, requiring heavy deployment of Election Commission personnel, security forces, and resources, which the government argues could be used more effectively in a coordinated manner.
Conducting simultaneous elections could lead to higher financial savings for both the government and political parties, which otherwise spend large amounts on campaigning for elections throughout the year.
Another key issue is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which limits the government’s ability to introduce new policies during an election period. Since elections are held frequently in different states, the MCC is often in effect, hindering the implementation of government policies. The government believes synchronising elections would promote more efficient governance and ensure policy continuity.
How will ‘one nation, one election’ work
For this initiative to be implemented, amendments to the Constitution are necessary. Articles concerning the term of the Parliament and state legislatures, dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and imposition of the President’s Rule would need to be revised.
The Ram Nath Kovind-led committee, formed in 2023, has studied electoral practices in other countries and consulted with stakeholders such as political parties and the Election Commission of India. While the committee supports the idea, it takes note of the need for a legally sustainable mechanism to sync the elections without disrupting governance.
The government has also indicated that, in the case of early dissolutions, interim governments could be formed, or short-term elections could be held to align with the synchronised election cycle.
Challenges and objections
While the proposal offers several potential benefits, it faces significant challenges. Constitutional experts and opposition parties have raised concerns about its impact on India’s federal structure. Synchronizing elections would require fresh elections across all states in the event of an early dissolution of a state assembly or Parliament, which many argue is impractical.
Regional parties also contend that simultaneous elections could divert attention from local issues, as national campaigns may overshadow state-specific concerns. Additionally, financial and logistical hurdles exist, such as the cost of acquiring and maintaining electronic voting machines (EVMs).