The BJP has given a renewed call for ‘One Nation, One Election’ and is now firmly decided to give this idea a try by suggesting that elections to local/urban bodies, assembly and the Lok Sabha should be held simultaneously. The BJP buttressed its point by flagging the idea that good governance is the ultimate goal of democracy and elections only a means towards achieving that objective. Having continuous rounds of elections is a hindrance to governance. The BJP has also proposed changes to the Constitution for setting fixed terms for legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha.
While speaking at a webinar on the theme, “One Nation, One Election” on Tuesday, BJP General Secretary Bhupender Yadav said that a Bill to this effect can only be brought in if there is political consensus. Earlier a parliamentary panel, comprising representatives of all parties, had recommended simultaneous elections. There is no denying that India is on election mode through the year, so much so that Prime Minister Modi seems to forget he is not addressing an election rally whenever he addresses a crowd. In a democracy elections are held to elect people to the Lok Sabha, state assembly or panchayats so that the elected can get on with the task of governance. A simultaneous election saves money and human resources as security forces need not be rushed to different places at different times. The BJP has also proposed that if a government loses the confidence of either of the two Houses, it could elect a new government for the remainder of the term. That would ensure that governance is the main agenda of democracy and not the act of holding elections.
The idea of ‘One Nation, One Election,’ is not new. It was first mooted by the Election Commission in 1983 and is now being revived by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he won the 2014 general elections. This is the first time that the BJP as a Party too has proposed holding all elections together. Earlier the idea was to hold only the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously. In its 170th report in May 1999, the Law Commission, headed by Justice BP Jeevan Reddy, said that India has to go back to the situation where the elections to Lok Sabha and all the Legislative Assemblies are held at once.
One state that has practiced simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha is Odisha although the voting is somewhat different for the Assembly and the Lower House.
Meanwhile the Niti Ayog had also submitted a 36-page letter to the Government recommending the same. It remains to be seen if all the political parties will invest in and subscribe to this idea.
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