What is One Nation, One Election?
One Nation-One Election refers to holding election in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies simultaneously. The High-Level Committee (HLC) recommendation, which has now been accepted by the Union Cabinet, suggested implementation of simultaneous elections in two phases. In the first step simultaneous elections will be held for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
In the second step, the elections to municipalities and Panchayats will be synchronised with Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in such a way that municipalities and Panchayats elections are held within 100 days of the holding of elections of the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.
What are the benefits of simultaneous elections?
Since independence, India has witnessed more than 400 elections for the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies. Given the huge expenses incurred during these elections, the committee was of the unanimous view that simultaneous elections will result in optimising scarce resources and also encourage voters to participate in the electoral process in larger numbers.
Disruptions to governance and policy paralysis resulting from the application of the Model Code of Conduct and its adverse impact on economic growth will be mitigated. As pointed out by apex business organisations, simultaneous elections will also help them maintain their production cycle, as the incidence of workers leaving for their constituencies to cast their votes will be reduced. Workers, in particular migrant workers, will avoid wage losses and minimise travel costs.
What are the constitutional amendments needed for this?
Based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee (HLC), two new articles will have to be inserted. First would be Article 82A for simultaneous election in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assemblies). Post amendment, the President will notify the date of the first sitting of the Lok Sabha and that will be called ‘Appointed Date.’ The term of Lok Sabha will be counted from the said date.
Second amendment would be Article 324 for elections in municipalities and panchayat. The HLC recommended, that municipalities and panchayat elections should held within 100 days of the holding of elections of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas.
While there is no need for consent of State assemblies for first set of amendments, but it would be required for second one and that is going to pose a challenge. The Congress and other regional parties’ opposition to the idea of simultaneous elections is another challenge.
How will the terms of the State assemblies be aligned with other States and national election?
New Article 82 A prescribes the tenure of all State legislative assemblies, formed after the ‘appointed date’ and before the expiry of the full term of the Lok Sabha, shall be only for the period ending up to the subsequent general elections to the Lok Sabha.
How will premature dissolution of State assemblies or Lok Sabha be handled under this?
The HLC report says that if Lok Sabha is dissolved prematurely on account of a hung House, no confidence motion, or any such event, there will be fresh elections.
However, the tenure of the new house will be only for the unexpired term of the immediately preceding full term of the Lok Sabha.
Similarly, in case of fresh election for State Assemblies, then such new house will continue up to the end of the full term of the Lok Sabha.
In other words, tenure of the Lok Sabha and States Assemblies will be shorter if they are formed after premature dissolution of the preceding houses.
What will be the next steps in implementing this?
The next step will involve multi-pronged measures. These include preparing common electoral roll for all elections. At the same time, the government will initiate detailed discussions throughout the country. An implementation group will be required to be set up. After wider consultation, a draft bill for amending the Constitution will be prepared. Then the bill will be introduced in Parliament, in all probability during the forthcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
By when can One Nation, One Election be expected in India?
Though the Modi Government has not given any timeline for implementation, it has indicated it would like to do this during its current term (2024-2029).