The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has officially approved bills for the ambitious ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative. Draft legislations are expected to be introduced during the ongoing Winter session of Parliament.
The move follows extensive consultations with various stakeholders. It signals a significant step toward restoring the tradition of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. The government plans to address the rising concerns related to election-related expenditure. They also aim to tackle the diversion of security forces and disruptions in development work.
LEGISLATIVE PATH FORWARD
The government’s decision to push for ‘One Nation, One Election’ follows the recommendations of a high-level committee formed in September. This committee proposed holding simultaneous elections in a phased manner for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. As part of the process, the bills will undergo further scrutiny and wider consultations.
The government is keen on engaging with Speakers of various state legislative assemblies. According to sources, they want to make sure that these critical voices are heard before finalizing the draft bills. Additionally, these bills are expected to be referred to a parliamentary committee for further review.
VISION BEHIND ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION
The idea of holding simultaneous elections is not new. From 1951 to 1967, India conducted elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies at the same time. Yet, this cycle broke down over time, with elections now occurring almost every year. This situation has led to several challenges:
- Massive Government Expenditure: Frequent elections consume considerable financial resources.
- Diverted Security Forces: Security personnel are often deployed for electoral duties instead of their primary responsibilities.
- Disruption in Development: The prolonged application of the Model Code of Conduct has resulted in halted development activities.
The government’s plan seeks to reinstate the earlier practice, aiming for a streamlined electoral cycle and more efficient governance.
LAW COMMISSION AND PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The idea of simultaneous elections has been discussed in various reports. It was most notably in the 170th Report of the Law Commission of India. This report emphasized the need to end the cycle of annual elections. It advocated returning to a unified election process. The Law Commission remarked that while situations might arise that require exceptions, holding elections to the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies at once should be the rule, not the exception.
Similarly, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice issued its 79th Report, which was submitted in 2015. The report recommended a two-phase method for conducting simultaneous elections. This method would aim to balance the logistical challenges while promoting electoral efficiency.
