ONE NATION ONE ELECTION rajniti.org
- S.S.TEJASKUMAR
- Nov 1, 2024
- 5 min read
One Nation One Election
Introduction
On the auspicious day of Pancham Phagan, Vikram Samvat 2080 (March 14, 2024), former President Ram Nath Kovind presented a detailed report spanning approximately 18,000 pages. This report was formulated after extensive discussions with former election officials, retired Supreme Court and High Court judges, various political parties, and prominent citizens. It aims to establish a unified election system for India to secure a golden future for the nation.
The Law Commission of India, in its 170th report on electoral law reforms, observed that, "Elections should not disrupt governance every year. We must revert to a system where Lok Sabha and all State Assembly elections are conducted simultaneously." Although certain contingencies, such as the application of Article 356 (which was significantly curtailed in the S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India judgment), may arise, separate state elections should be an exception rather than the rule.
This reform would be one of the most revolutionary steps in India's governance, akin to the abrogation of Article 370. Frequent elections and associated Model Code of Conduct restrictions have significantly impacted the governance process. Critics may fail to recognize that this reform is essential for India's progress, ensuring stability and efficiency in governance.
The philosophy of democratic
elections as narrated by Sir Winston Churchil in matchless words:
"At the bottom of all tributes paid to democracy is the little man, walking into a little booth, with a little pencil, making a little cross on a little bit of paper-no amount of rhetoric or voluminous discussion can possibly diminish the overwhelming importance of the point."
The Supreme Court in Mohinder Singh Gill & Anr vs The Chief Election
Commissioner has held that:
"Democracy is government by the people. It is a continual participative operation, not a cataclysmic, periodic exercise. The little man, in his multitude, making his vote at the poll does a social audit of his Parliament plus political choice of his proxy. Although the full flower of participative government rarely blossoms, the minimum credential of popular government is appeal to the people after every term for a renewal of confidence. So we have adult franchise and general elections as constitutional compulsions"
The Constitutional issues with ONOE are:
• Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution, which guarantees five years to every elected Lok-Sabha and Assembly respectively, “Unless sooner dissolved”, will have to be amended.
• Articles 85(1) and 174(1) stipulate that the intervening period between the last session of the House of the People / State Legislative Assemblies and the first Session of the subsequent House / Assemblies shall not exceed six months. So, if ONOE comes in –what happens if there is a hung Assembly / Parliament situation? What if a government falls due to a no-confidence motion? What if a representative dies one year into their tenure?
• Article 356, which deals with President’s rule, may need to be amended. Article 356 comes into force only if there is a failure of constitutional machinery in a state-so for President’s rule to be put in place for the sake of simultaneous elections is problematic
.
• The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution-which is the anti - defection law-will have to be reconsidered if Assemblies and the Lok Sabha must ensure continuous governance for five years, if the ruling party does not have a large mandate.
Rationale for One Nation One Election
Frequent elections have led to voter fatigue, increased costs, and policy paralysis. Despite substantial efforts by the Election Commission to increase voter participation, India's voting percentage rarely exceeds 70%. Additionally, political fragmentation and communal polarization have escalated due to frequent electoral cycles.
A 2009 research study, Does Timing of Elections Instigate Riots? A Subnational Study of 16 Indian States (1958-2004), highlights that frequent elections have led to community-based mobilizations that often escalate into conflicts. Competitive politics has also resulted in hasty policy reversals, such as the overturning of Supreme Court rulings in cases like Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano.
Political scandals, ranging from the Bofors scandal to more recent corruption cases, have eroded public trust. The constant election cycle has prevented the electorate from focusing on long-term policy goals, leading to political and economic instability.
Economic Impact of Frequent Elections
Studies have shown that frequent elections contribute to economic instability. For instance, research by Keefer (2006) suggests that electoral cycles often lead to pre-election spending surges, followed by post-election economic downturns. Similarly, Schuknecht (1996) analyzed 35 developing countries and found that fiscal deficits increased by an average of 0.66% of GDP during election cycles.
Political budget cycles indicate that election-related spending contributes to inflation and economic fluctuations. Governments often increase public expenditure before elections to gain favor with voters, leading to economic imbalances. This pattern disrupts economic planning and long-term development strategies.
Expenses in Lok Sabha Election
Expenses incurred by Election Commission in Lok Sabha Election
Sl. No. Year Expenses in
1. 1952 10.45(crores)
2. 1957 5.9(crores)
3. 1962 7.32(crores)
4. 1967 10.79(crores)
5. 1971 11.6(crores)
6. 1977 23.03(crores)
7. 1980 54.77(crores)
8. 1989 54.22(crores)
9. 1991 359.1(crores)
10. 1996 597.34(crores)
11. 1998 666.22(crores)
12. 1999 946.68(crores)
13. 2004 1016.08(crores)
14. 2009 1114.38(crores)
15. 2014 3870.34(crores)
16. 2019 6500(crores)
Benefits of One Nation One Election.
Enhanced Voter Participation: Conducting elections simultaneously reduces voter fatigue and increases engagement.
Economic Stability: It prevents frequent disruptions to governance and economic planning.
Efficient Resource Utilization: Simultaneous elections optimize administrative and security resources.
Improved Governance: Eliminates policy stagnation caused by frequent electoral code restrictions.
Reduced Communal and Caste-based Politics: Minimizes polarization driven by election-driven mobilizations.
Cost Savings: Reduces government expenditure on repeated elections.
Boosts Policy Consistency: Ensures governments focus on long-term governance instead of short-term electoral gains.
Better Law and Order Management: Reduces election-related violence and administrative burden.
Judicial Efficiency: Lessens election-related litigation and court case backlogs.
Stronger National Unity: Encourages pan-India policy discourse rather than fragmented regional issues.
Necessary Reforms for Implementation.
Constitutional and Legal Amendments: Revisions to the Representation of the People Act (1950, 1951), constitutional provisions, and election laws to enable simultaneous elections.
Political Consensus: Discussions with political stakeholders to ensure broad acceptance.
Transition Mechanism: Establishing a phased approach for synchronizing election cycles.
Infrastructure and Logistics: Strengthening electoral infrastructure to handle simultaneous elections efficiently.
Judicial Clarity: Legal validation from the Supreme Court to prevent constitutional challenges.
Conclusion
One Nation One Election is a crucial reform for India's democratic and economic stability. It aims to enhance governance, reduce electoral disruptions, and ensure efficient resource allocation. Implementing this reform will require constitutional amendments, political consensus, and strategic execution. However, once in place, it will mark a new era of electoral and administrative efficiency in India, securing a stable and progressive future for the nation.
Additional Article.
Comments