The central government looks determined to implement “One Nation One Election” soon. It has published the report of High Level Committee (HLC) including its recommendations.
Before getting into details, let’s understand the shortcomings of current electoral process.
Inefficiency of Current Electoral Process
Having 28 state legislative assemblies, 1,772 municipalities and 2.63 lakh panchayats, Indians live in “Election Mode” for whole 5 years. This electoral process is very lengthy and have below disadvantages:
A. The frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct thwarts country’s progress. Infrastructural and welfare projects gets stopped.
B. As pointed out by FICCI and CII, recurrent elections create uncertainty for both business and investors communities.
C. Given a very high percentage of migrant workers, both manufacturing and service sectors are affected as the migrant workers avail leave to cast their vote.
D. Frequent campaigning based on identity politics (Hindu-Muslim, North-South, Upper Caste-Dalit etc.) spurs passions and other divisive social forces.
E. Frequent elections cause voter fatigue, resulting in low voter turnout.
F. A regular deployment of law and order machinery, including paramilitary forces, has an adverse impact on crime rates, which demoralize the investor.
G. To conduct elections, about 2,500,000 civilian personnel and staff and a few lakh police personnel are deployed every time for about two to three months, seriously affecting their normal duties.
High Level Committee (HLC)
A High Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections (popularly known as One Nation, One Election) was organized to examine the feasibility, challenges and worth of One Nation One Election (ONOE) initiative.
The expression “simultaneous elections” shall mean General elections held for constituting the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and all the State Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha) together.
Here is the list of the participants:
I. Shri Ram Nath Kovind (Chairman), Ex-President of India.
II. Shri Amit Shah, Home Minister of India
III. Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. (He resigned later).
IV. Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, lead of opposition in Rajya Sabha
V. Shri N.K.Singh, Former Chairman of finance commission.
VI. Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, Former Lok Sabha Secretary General
VII. Shri Harish Salve, Senior Advocate
VIII. Shri Sanjay Kothari, Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
IX. Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Ministry of Law and Justice
X. Dr. Niten Chandra, Secretary, HLC
The HLC invited suggestions, viewpoints and comments from
A. Registered political parties
B. Former Chief Justice of India
C. Former Chief Justices of major High Courts
D. Former Chief Election Commissioners of India
E. State Election Commissioners
F. Law Commission of India
G. Election Commission of India
H. Bar Council of India
I. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
J. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
K. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
L. Eminent economists
M. Citizens of India through Newspapers, Website, E-mail and Social Media
Responses
The analysis of the feedback revealed that 80% of the 21,558 responses from Indian Citizens were in favor of “One Nation One Election” initiative. Responses were also received from 47 political parties, out of which 32 political parties not only favored this initiative, but also advocated its adoption. Below is the list of major parties which opposed One Nation One Election (ONOE) initiative:
AIMIM: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi
AAP: Shri Arvind Kejriwal
BSP: Ms. Mayawati
CPI(M): Shri Sitaram Yechuri
INC: Shri Mallikarjun Khadge
TMC: Ms. Mamta Banerjee
CPI: Shri D.Raja
DMK: Shri M.K. Stalin
SP: Shri Akhilesh Yadav
Resolution
The Committee was of the unanimous view that ”One Nation one Election” will bring fundamental transformation in the electoral process and overall governance. It would reduce the massive expenditure incurred for the conduct of separate elections every year. Presently, it is approx.. INR 4,500 crore as reported by the ECI.
The Committee agreed to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies first. Subsequently, Municipal and Panchayat elections will be synchronized to occur within 100 days of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections.
For logistics, the Election Commission of India has submitted detailed requirements of equipment such as EVM, VVPAT, polling personnel, security forces, election materials, etc. They have also submitted an estimate of the expenditure.
Provisions Of Implementation
If Lok Sabha or a State Legislative Assembly is dissolved sooner than its period of five years, a mid-term election would be held, but the term would be for the remaining unexpired period of its term. In this manner at the end of five years, Lok Sabha and all the State Legislative Assemblies would reach the end of their tenure at the same time, and be ready for a General election held simultaneously.
Considering the events that can disrupt the simultaneity of the elections such as Hung House, no-confidence motions or any other such event, the following mechanism is proposed:
A. For Lok Sabha: It has a five-year term from its first meeting. If dissolved before this term ends, new elections are held, and the succeeding House will serve the remainder of the previous House’s term. It will dissolve at the end of this period.
B. For State Legislative Assemblies: If dissolved early, new elections are held, and the new Assembly will last until the end of the Lok Sabha’s full term.
C. For Municipalities and Panchayats: Mid-term elections of Municipalities and Panchayats for the unexpired period of their term until the next General elections.
Operational Provisions
Currently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) and State Election Commissions (SECs) hold their own database. The voter information shall be consolidated into a single database to reduce duplication and redundancy.
A Single Electoral Roll and Single Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) shall be made.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
