Central Idea

• The Centre has taken a significant step towards implementing the “One Nation, One Election” concept by forming a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• This concept aims to synchronize elections across different levels of governance, with the intent of boosting efficiency and governance.
• The committee’s primary role is to draft the necessary legislative framework for the successful implementation of the concept.

One Nation, One Election: Background and Rationale

• The frequent occurrence of elections disrupts the continuity of developmental activities due to adherence to election-related codes and rules.
• The Prime Minister has been a vocal advocate of simultaneous elections as a solution to this issue.
• The core idea is to streamline elections across various tiers of government, thereby reducing administrative complexities.

Nature of Simultaneous Elections

• Presently, India conducts separate elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, leading to staggered electoral cycles.
• The “One Nation, One Election” approach envisions holding elections for all state assemblies and the Lok Sabha simultaneously.

Historical Context and Shifting Trends

• In the initial decades after independence, India witnessed concurrent elections.
• This trend shifted with the untimely dissolution of the fourth Lok Sabha in 1971, which marked the decline of simultaneous elections.
• The dissolution of the Lok Sabha during the National Emergency declared in 1975 and the dissolution of state assemblies after the 1977 Lok Sabha election further disrupted this cycle.

Challenges and Necessary Constitutional Amendments

• A significant challenge lies in aligning the terms of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
• Amendments to relevant articles of the Constitution, such as Article 83 for the Lok Sabha and Article 172(1) for Legislative Assemblies, may be required to enable synchronized elections.

Efficiency and Governance Benefits

Simultaneous elections offer several benefits:

• Reduction in effort, time, and expenditure due to consolidated election cycles.
• Mitigation of governance disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
• Streamlined campaign expenses, potentially leading to cost savings.
• Improved voter turnout and enhanced credibility of the electoral process.

Challenges and Counterarguments

• Challenges include synchronizing terms, preventing mid-term dissolutions, and addressing the costs associated with electronic voting machines (EVMs).
• Counterarguments raise concerns about influencing voter choices, potential erosion of government accountability, and implications for democratic principles and federalism.

Ensuring Effective Implementation

• Robust legal safeguards are essential to address the challenge of mid-term dissolutions and maintain the integrity of synchronized elections.
• Some countries employ mechanisms like “no-confidence motions” to ensure governance continuity during the synchronized cycle.

Conclusion

• The “One Nation, One Election” initiative holds the potential to streamline India’s electoral process and enhance governance efficiency.
• Overcoming challenges requires a comprehensive approach along with suitable legal provisions, making the concept a practical reality while preserving democratic principles and federalism.

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