ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION PANEL

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THE CONTEXT: Recently, a High-Level Committee headed by a former president, Ram Nath Kovind, issued a public notice asking for suggestions for simultaneous election between January 5-15, 2024. According to the Union Law Ministry, 81% of the 20,000-plus responses received by the High-Level Committee on One Nation, One Election have favoured the idea.

ABOUT THE RECENT COMMITTEE:

• Government has constituted an eight-member high level committee to examine One Nation, One Election in September, 2023.
• Former President Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed as Chairman of the committee. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chairman 15th Finance CommissionK. Singh and others are appointed as the members of the committee.
• The high level committee will examine and make recommendation for holding simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities and Panchayats, keeping in view the existing framework under the Constitution and other statutory provisions.
• It will examine and recommend, if the amendments to the Constitution would require ratification by the States.
• They will also suggest a framework for synchronisation of elections and specifically, suggest the phases and time frame within which simultaneous elections may be held.
• The committee will also examine the logistics and manpower required, including EVMs and VVPATs for holding simultaneous elections.

CONCEPT OF SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS AND BACKGROUND

• ‘Simultaneous Elections’ is defined as structuring the Indian election cycle in a manner such that elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are synchronized together.
• The elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of States were mostly held simultaneously from 1951-52 to 1967 after which this cycle got broken.
• Lok Sabha and State legislatures went to polls together in 1952 and 1957, with the Congress initially comfortably placed all over the country.
• The synchronised cycle was first broken in Kerala, in July 1959, when the Centre invoked Article 356 of the Constitution to dismiss the ministry headed by E M S Namboodiripad of the Communist Party. This was followed by state elections in February 1960.
• As the Congress’s popularity declined, it suffered major setbacks in several states Bihar, UP, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Orissa, Madras and Kerala in the 1967 elections.
• Consequently, Samyukta Vidhayak Dal governments, comprising Bharatiya Kranti Dal, SSP, PSP, Swatantra Party, Jana Sangh and Congress defectors, came to power.
• Defections and counter-defections ultimately led to the dissolution of Assemblies, which separated the poll cycles of many states from the central one.
• At present, Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are held together with Lok Sabha polls.

PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Election Commission (1983): In 1983, the Election Commission proposed the idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
• The Law Commission (1999): The Law Commission, led by Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy, presented its 170th report in May 1999. The report recommended exploring a system where elections for the Lok Sabha and all legislative assemblies are held simultaneously.
• Election Commission (2019): In 2019, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora expressed support for the idea of simultaneous elections, calling it a desirable goal. He suggested aligning the terms of state assemblies with the life of the Parliament for successful implementation.
• Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice, led by E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, compiled a report in 2015. The report highlighted benefits such as
• Massive expenditure that is currently incurred for the conduct of separate elections
• Policy paralysis that results from the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct during election time;
• Impact on delivery of essential services
• Burden on crucial manpower that is deployed during election time,” the report observed.
• Law Commission’s Draft Report (2018): In August 2018, the Law Commission, under the leadership of Justice B.S. Chauhan, drafted a report stating that simultaneous elections couldn’t be held within the existing constitutional framework. The Commission recommended amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and parliamentary procedures for its implementation. The report suggested that at least 50% of states ratify constitutional amendments.

ISSUES:

• Partisan committee: Given the constitution and manner of functioning and the larger context of one-party dominance, the newly formed committee gives the impression of just being the rubber stamp.
• Constitutional Amendments:Implementing simultaneous elections needs extensive amendments to the Constitution and electoral laws, which requires complex negotiations and consensus-building.
• Impact on Federal Structure:Simultaneous elections has the potential to weaken the federal structure and eroding the autonomy of state elections.
• Financial burden:Coordinating simultaneous elections would place a significant burden on the Election Commission’s resources, possibly affecting the efficiency and credibility of the electoral process.
• Lack of engagement of opposition: There is a lack of robust debate on the proposal of simultaneous elections as there is lack of engagement of opposition. For example, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, refused to be a part of the Committee arguing that it is imbalanced.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Taking into account opposition viewpoint: Though, the Committee’s terms of reference assume that One Nation, One Election is in “national interest”. But despite this, there is a need for opposition leader to play an important role by pushing for greater transparency in the process. As such a fundamental change in the democratic structure and process cannot be brought without adequate engagement with the Opposition’s concerns.
• Consultative approach: Achieving simultaneous elections in India requires a consultative approach and stakeholder consultations to adapt a framework that can pave the way for a synchronized electoral process.
• Uphold federalism: There is a need to balance the benefits of streamlined governance with the complexities of diverse regional dynamics to uphold federalism. A system of election should be devised that respects federal structures while enhancing administrative efficiency.
  

THE CONCLUSION:

The concept of one nation, one election remains a subject of ongoing deliberation in Indian politics. While proponents emphasize the potential advantages of simultaneous election and critics raise valid concerns about its implementation and impact on regional dynamics. The future of this proposal of simultaneous election will depend on various factors in the evolving political landscape of India.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1 In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (2018)

Q.2 To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.1 Discuss the challenges for conducting simultaneous election in India and suggest measures to ensure federalism while upholding democratic process in the country.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/one-nation-one-election-union-law-ministry-high-level-committee-lok-sabha-elections-2024-9122617/