Intricacies of ‘One Nation, One Election’
Editor,
A debate on the future of Indian Federalism and Democracy and the concept of “One Nation, One Election” has persisted in Indian political discourse for several decades and traces its roots back to the Election Commission of India report of 1983. This visionary concept was born out of a desire to streamline the nation’s electoral processes and reduce their frequency and associated costs. However, despite its potential benefits, the road to holding simultaneous elections in India is riddled with complexities, legal issues and political debates.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passionately championed the cause in 1999, but legislative change remained elusive. It was only in 2017 that Niti Aayog released a document titled “Timeline for Elections” which provides a practical implementation plan. Subsequently, the Law Commission of India issued a draft working paper in 2018 with an emphasis on legal and constitutional aspects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasized the need for a comprehensive debate on the issue during his Independence Day speech in 2019. Over the years, a series of all-party meetings and consultations have been convened to examine the feasibility and merits of concurrent elections. Various political parties and stakeholders participated in these discussions.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice examined the issue in the year 2020 and sought input from various stakeholders. However, it is essential to realize that the path to “One Nation, One Election” requires constitutional amendments, legislation and, most importantly, political consensus. India’s diversity and federal structure make this a complex and lengthy process. Simultaneous elections could challenge the autonomy and independence of state governments and potentially upset the delicate balance between the Center and the states.
Logistically, conducting simultaneous elections in a country with a population of nearly 1.5 billion people poses significant challenges. Elections are celebrated in India as a festival of democracy, requiring careful planning and coordination, which becomes exponentially more challenging when multiple elections need to be held simultaneously. While advocates say simultaneous elections could ease voter fatigue, others raise concerns about information overload. Domestic issues can overshadow local ones, potentially impairing voters’ ability to make informed decisions. The implementation of “One Nation, One Election” requires sweeping changes to the Constitution of India and related statutory laws, including Articles 83, 85, 172, 174 and 356. Achieving this requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, a formidable political endeavour. In addition, it calls for a synchronized election cycle across different levels of government, which could erode state and local autonomy. Local authority elections, governed by a decentralized system, would require legislative changes to align with the proposed electoral cycle. The financial and administrative resources required for such a transformation are enormous, requiring a strong legal framework for budget allocation and resource management.
In addition, anti-defection laws may require changes to prevent lawmakers from switching parties in line with the election cycle, thus preserving the essence of the concept. An increased number of cases during elections could also disrupt the judicial process. Perhaps the biggest challenge is achieving a political consensus between different political parties, including regional players. Convincing these stakeholders to agree to the necessary legal changes is a challenging task in itself. The idea of “One Nation, One Election” holds promise for streamlining India’s electoral processes, but its path is fraught with complex legal, logistical and political hurdles. How the nation thinks about this concept remains a matter of ongoing discussion and debate, reflecting the complex nature of India’s political and constitutional landscape.
Yours etc.,
Shimon N. Shullai,
Via email
India versus Bharat debate
Editor,
The news “India Vs Bharat debate sets tongues wagging” ST September 7, 2023) made a very interesting reading. The G20 dinner card of Rashtrapati Bhawan referred to the President of India as ‘President of Bharat’ rather than President of India, triggered a debate on the name change of India to Bharat. Instead of dabbling into the India vs Bharat debate let Article 1 of the Constitution be the guiding light. The more pressing need for the country as a leader of the G20 is to improve our Human Development Index from the present position of 18th with an HDI score of 0.645 among the G20 countries by investing in the three dimensions of human development: health, education and income. The possible ways to do that are:
1. Providing universal and quality health care services and infrastructure, and raising awareness about preventive and curative measures.
2. Ensuring universal access to education at all levels, and improving the quality and relevance of education outcomes.
3. Creating more and better employment opportunities, and reducing poverty and inequality.
4. Streamlining the public finances and targeting subsidies to the neediest sections of the society.
5. Improving the quality and availability of basic amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity, housing, etc.
6. Evaluating the performance and impact of various social sector schemes and policies, and making them more accountable and transparent.
Given that the per capita income position of India among the G20 which stands at 15th position of $7400 as of 2023. There is a need to boost or increase per capita income by:
1. Increasing the Gross Domestic Product and this can be done by improving education and training, investing in infrastructure and technology, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, expanding trade and tourism, etc.
2. Reducing population growth rate by improving health care and family planning, empowering women and girls, raising awareness and education.
3. Distributing the income more equally among the people of India by implementing progressive taxation, providing social welfare and security to the needy and marginalised section of the society, strengthening labour rights and minimum wages. Ensuring that there is a lower Gini coefficient which means less inequality and more per capita income for the average person.
Yours etc.
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Of narrow roads and lanes
Editor,
Nestled in the western part of Shillong, formerly a part of Mawprem, Mawbah (Barapathar) stands as a densely populated village with a unique charm. This village is graced by a single narrow access road that spans approximately one kilometre in length. During the tenure of Paul Lyngdoh as the MLA, this road underwent a modest expansion with concrete lining added to one side, parallel to its drainage system.
Allow me to introduce our readers to this seemingly petite but bustling village. Mawbah (Barapathar) is home to a remarkable number of residents, making it one of the most densely inhabited locales in the region. Notably, the Khasi Panar Gas Agency personnel, during their introductory speech while distributing free LPG cylinders and stoves under the Ujjwala Scheme, disclosed that Mawbah (Barapathar) boasts the highest number of consumers in the vicinity. Refilling the empty cylinders of households here keeps the agency occupied for 15 to 20 days every month.
Mawbah (Barapathar) proudly embraces its cosmopolitan character, where people from diverse religious backgrounds coexist harmoniously. Places of worship for various religious groups prominently dot the village landscape, alongside cremation and burial grounds representing all faiths. A notable addition to the public amenities during Shri Paul Lyngdoh’s urban ministership is the electric crematorium situated on their village outskirts. This facility stands as a testament to modern, eco-friendly cremation practices and serves as the final resting place for individuals from far and wide.
Residents of Mawbah (Barapathar) are fortunate to have access to the well-regarded government RP Chest Hospital close by. During Shri Ardhendu Chaudhuri’s tenure as MLA, a substantial overhead water reservoir tank was constructed, significantly improving the village’s access to potable water. Thanks to the Ardhendu Chaudhuri Trust, free mid-day meals are provided nearby daily to those in need.
However, the village faces a pressing concern due to its sole motorable road. Despite the concrete lining on one side, this road is gradually narrowing. The presence of a parallel shallow drainage system on the opposite side has contributed to this issue, with continuous sullage water erosion causing the road to shrink over time. Regrettably, this lengthy drain has remained unattended for quite some time. Our current MLA has made public commitments to transform the 18 West Shillong Constituency into a model one, and we hope that the vital lifeline road of Mawbah (Barapathar) will soon undergo much-needed repairs. We pledge to extend our full cooperation to fulfil this commitment.
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri
Shillong -2
