One nation, one election
Editor,
The news headline “Kovind-led committee to study ‘one nation, one poll’ proposal” and “Not a new idea for India” (ST September 2, 2023) made interesting reading. The simultaneous elections in India were first held between October 25, 1951, and February 21, 1952. Since states were restructured and assemblies were prematurely disbanded the system fell apart. According to Purav Thakur “simultaneous elections were held in 76% of the states in 1957, and 67% in 1962 and 1967. The continuity of this synchronized electoral cycle was shattered in Kerala in July 1959, when the Central government dismissed the Communist Party-led government under E M S Namboodiripad. As a result, state elections were held in February 1960, within three years of the last assembly poll. By 1972, the synchronized election trend had been broken, as no state election coincided with the general election for the Lok Sabha. However, assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are concurrently held with the Lok Sabha elections. The idea and practice of holding elections to the state assemblies and the Parliament is not new in India’s case”.
Simultaneous elections also known as ‘One Nation, One Election’ is not a new concept, Belgium, Sweden, South Africa and Nepal are countries that follow this concept. The idea behind this is to reduce the cost of conducting separate elections and ensure continuity in the policies and programs of the central and state governments.
There are several challenges associated with this concept. Some of them are:
1. Constitutional Amendments: Conducting such elections would require constitutional amendments to sync up the terms of the state legislative assemblies with that of the Lok Sabha. Further, the Representation of the People Act as well as other parliamentary procedures will also need to be amended.
2. Logistics: Conducting simultaneous elections would require a massive logistical exercise, including deployment of security forces, polling personnel and electronic voting machines (EVMs).
3.Political Opposition: Regional parties have expressed concerns that they would not be able to raise their local issues strongly as national issues take centre stage.
4. Financial Constraints: Conducting simultaneous elections would require a significant amount of funds, which could be a challenge for some states.
5.Administrative Challenges: Holding simultaneous elections will affect normal administrative duties as officials engage in polling duties.
There are some benefits of simultaneous elections.
1.Cost Savings: Conducting simultaneous elections would reduce the cost of conducting separate elections, which is a significant financial burden on the government. It will be of interest to note that expenditure that encompasses expenses incurred by political parties engaged in election process and the Election Commission of India’s cost in organising election was a staggering sum of approximately Rs 60,000 crore in 2019 Lok Sabha Election, as reported in the Economic Times 1st September 2023.
2. Efficiency: Holding simultaneous elections would increase efficiency in the administrative set up throughout the country, since it slows down considerably. Normal administrative duties are affected by elections as officials engage in polling duties. It will also help ensure continuity in the policies and programs of the central and state governments.
3. Boost Voter Turnout: The Law Commission said holding simultaneous elections will boost voter turnout as it will be more convenient for them to cast votes at once.
4. Alleviation of strain on Administration and Security Forces: Simultaneous elections would alleviate the strain on administration and security forces, who are currently deployed for extended periods during separate state and national polls.
5. Focus on Development Efforts: Holding simultaneous elections would allow political parties to focus on developmental efforts rather than being preoccupied with election campaigns.
It is important to note that there are several benefits associated with simultaneous elections, there are also several challenges that need to be addressed before implementing this concept. The Law Commission of India introduced the draft recommendations in 2018 proposing that conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies could be the solution to alleviate the country’s perpetual election cycle. The Government of India has on Friday rightly constituted a committee headed by former President of India Ram Nath Govind to explore the feasibility of “One Nation, One Election”
Yours etc
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Be doers not false speakers
Editor,
It suddenly dawned on me, what a slow learner I’ve been to understand how the government pulls the wool over our eyes! The fancy terms, glamorous and scintillating statements and acronyms used by both politicians and officers of the government at gatherings have hit me hard. I am no scholar, but I do have adequate education. The picturesque sounding strategies and imaginative operational plans bandied about so eloquently and with conviction from the podium, to haul the state out of the ‘dumps’ have hoodwinked us.
This mouthful, ”Promotion of Ease of Living through Good Governance and the use of Technology in Schooling,” at a symposium in Garo Hills (ST August 22, 2023) and ”Fate of residential schools in M’laya worries HYC” with a photo of an abandoned under construction school building (ST August 23, 2023) are what woke me out of my stupor. It’s as if such hypnotic utterances have charmed us into a mesmerizing awe! Like a crowd watching the magician performing the famous Indian rope trick with gaping mouths! And there, is the culprit for my slow learning!
Sometimes I often think I am stupidly naive and shallow of mind to have faith, hope, trust and belief in our ministers and government officials at the helm of affairs in our state, (which I reserve exclusively for God alone). And then it dawns on me and I see a light bulb, (as in a Goofy cartoon) of ‘Silly Hands’ doing everything wrong!
Biplab Kr. Dey’s report in The Shillong Times some six months back on the dismal ground truths of the education scenario in Garo Hills comes to mind. And I wonder what magical wand are the local authorities waving this time to catapult Garo Hills! This wand must be shared with all rural areas of the state! Please!
However, for me I believe when genuine, hands-on administrators who have the strength of character and honesty to work indefatigably on ground (and not from the comfortable fancy easy armchair of their offices) will lead our state out from the low it has sunk to in the education index of the country, then we will see change. Such ministers and government servants’ hearts must beat as one with the sufferings of the common people. Only then will they be moved with a conscience to be Doers and not false Speakers!
”Let integrity and uprightness preserve our leaders!” (Psalms 25: 20-21).
Yours etc.,
Kevin Phillips
Shillong – 19