THE CONTEXT: India’s “One Nation, One Election” proposal aims to hold national and state elections together to save costs and enhance governance. However, it has potential impacts on India’s federal structure, voter behaviour, and democratic process. Its implementation requires addressing legal, constitutional, and logistical challenges, and building consensus among political parties.
ISSUES:
- Ram Nath Kovind Panel’s Recommendations: The panel led by Ram Nath Kovind suggests that India should hold simultaneous national and state elections, possibly starting from 2029. This recommendation is based on the belief that the current system, with its frequent elections, hampers governance and development. The panel proposes that the life of state assemblies with elections due between 2024 and 2029 be shortened to align with this synchronized schedule.
- Historical Perspective on Indian Nationhood: The historical context of Indian nationhood contrasts the European “one language, one nation” ideology with India’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape. The British colonial perspective doubted the possibility of India ever becoming a unified nation due to its diversity.
- Gandhi’s Vision of Indian Identity: Mahatma Gandhi’s vision challenged the European concept of nationhood by promoting a hyphenated identity, where being Indian did not contradict regional identities. He was instrumental in organizing the Congress party into linguistic units, which laid the groundwork for the linguistic reorganization of states post-independence.
- Concept of State-Nation vs. Nation-State: India, as envisioned by Gandhi and reflected in its post-1956 linguistic reorganization, is a state-nation that respects and promotes dual identities—regional and national—without seeing them as contradictory.
- Impact on National Unity and Federalism: The “One Nation, One Election” could be seen as a move towards greater centralization, potentially at odds with the Gandhian vision of India as a state-nation. The proposal might also challenge the federal structure by pushing for a more uniform electoral process.
- Consensus and Implementation: The success of the “One Nation, One Election” proposal in promoting national unity requires widespread consensus among states and political parties. Most regional parties, except those allied with the BJP, currently disagree with the idea, indicating the need for a more inclusive approach to reform.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Legal and Constitutional Amendments: The Law Commission’s Draft Report (2018) highlighted the necessity for amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and parliamentary procedures to enable ONOE. It suggested that at least 50% of states must ratify these constitutional amendments. A Private Members’ Bill introduced in July 2019 sought the insertion of a new Article 324A to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct elections to the House of the People and legislative assemblies of all states simultaneously.
- Cycle of Elections and Legal Cap on Expenditure: A standing committee recommended a cycle of elections, according to which elections to some legislative assemblies whose terms end within six months to one year before or after the general elections to the Lok Sabha could be synchronized. For the rest of the states, elections could be held along with the general elections to the Lok Sabha. Controlling costs by ensuring that the legal cap on expenditure of candidates is followed by all parties was also suggested to make the process more feasible and less financially burdensome.
- Enhancing Voter Education and Electoral Participation: The need for more informed conversations in the public domain, as well as at the national and state levels, was emphasized. This includes educating voters about the significance of both national and state issues and encouraging informed voting behaviour.
- Addressing Governance Disruptions: The proposal aims to mitigate governance disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct during elections, thereby allowing governments to focus more on governance and less on electoral considerations.
- Comprehensive Approach and Consensus Building: To tackle the challenges of ONOE, it’s important to have appropriate legal provisions and build consensus among all stakeholders. This involves addressing concerns and objections, particularly from those who fear that simultaneous elections could diminish the importance of state elections and regional parties.
- Addressing Electoral and Governance Challenges: The government is encouraged to use its political capital to solve broader electoral problems such as opaque dynastic hegemonies within parties, poor women’s representation in politics, horse trading, and fiscally irresponsible electoral promises. This approach suggests that while ONOE is a significant reform, it should be part of a larger effort to enhance the electoral system and governance in India.
THE CONCLUSION:
The “One Nation, One Election” proposal aims to improve governance and development by reducing the frequency of elections. However, its impact on national unity and respect for India’s diverse federal structure is complex. The proposal runs the risk of deviating from the Gandhian vision of India and requires a more inclusive approach to reform that seeks consensus in the diverse political landscape.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q. Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (2017)
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Examine the feasibility of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan in India. Discuss the legal and constitutional issues related to this idea, as well as the potential impact on the federal structure and democratic processes of the country.
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