The proposal of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) has sparked debate in India's political arena. It anticipates simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies, to simplify and streamline the election process. While the potential benefits are great, the implementation challenges are equally important. Here's an in-depth look at its numerous aspects.
What is "One Nation, One Election"? 🤔
India, the world's largest democracy, is no stranger to regular elections. Elections are held practically annually, whether for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, or municipal bodies. However, ONOE aims to synchronise these election timetables by holding Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections every five years.
This idea is not new; synchronised elections were common in India's early years. This tradition began with the first general election in 1952 and continued until 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, mid-term dissolutions in the late 1960s and early 1970s disturbed this alignment, resulting in the staggered election pattern that we see today. ONOE seeks to re-establish the previously synchronised pattern.
Advantages of One Nation, One Election
- Cost Savings
- ONOE may considerably minimise repeated costs for security, transportation, and election management.
- A single deployment of security troops for coordinated elections would be sufficient, preventing year-round resource allocation.
- Improved Governance
- Frequent elections disrupt governance since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) prohibits governments from implementing new policies during election periods.
- With ONOE, governments could focus on long-term planning and uninterrupted implementation of policies, avoiding frequent MCC restrictions.
- Reduced Electoral Fatigue
- Repeated elections create fatigue among voters, political parties, and officials.
- ONOE’s consolidated schedule would alleviate this, allowing voters to better focus on election issues without constant disruptions.
- Consistency in Development
- Frequent elections encourage populist initiatives for short-term advantages, which divert attention away from long-term development goals.
- A synchronised schedule may incentivise governments to prioritise long-term infrastructural and economic development projects.
- Streamlined Resource Allocation
- Elections necessitate significant resources, including workers, polling equipment, and security procedures.
- Synchronisation would improve the deployment of these resources and reduce redundancy.
Challenges of One Nation, One Election
Constitutional Amendments
- Significant modifications to the Constitution would be required, including amendments to Articles 83(2) and 172 and the Representation of the People Act of 1951.
- Given the divergent interests of the parties, achieving broad political consensus on these modifications may prove difficult.
Federal Structure Concerns
- States in India have significant autonomy under the federal system. ONOE could mitigate this by prioritising national issues above regional ones.
- For example, local issues such as water disputes in Karnataka or flood management in Bihar may be eclipsed by bigger national narratives.
Mid-Term Disruptions
- Managing government dissolutions in the middle of their terms is a substantial difficulty.
- Options like as putting a state under the President's Rule or holding interim elections could damage democratic representation or break the synchronised cycle.
Logistical Feasibility
- It is a massive undertaking to hold synchronised elections for approximately 950 million voters across India.
- Ensuring adequate EVMs, polling locations, and trained people, as well as maintaining security, will necessitate substantial planning and resource allocation.
Local vs National Focus
- In synchronised elections, national issues may take precedence over state-specific concerns.
- For example, arguments about national economic growth may mask important local issues such as farmer misery or unemployment.
Possible Solutions for Challenges
Phased Implementation
- Introduce ONOE gradually by synchronising elections in a few states at first, allowing fixing issues before scaling up.
Contingency Mechanisms
- Establish clear rules for managing mid-term dissolutions:
- Hold interim elections for the remaining period.
- Alternatively, put the state under the President's Rule until the next synchronised election.
- Establish clear rules for managing mid-term dissolutions:
Enhanced Electoral Infrastructure
- Invest in modernising voting systems, such as upgraded EVMs, strong cybersecurity safeguards, and increased poll worker training.
Global Comparisons
Countries such as South Africa, Indonesia, and Sweden hold simultaneous elections. However, due to their smaller size and less complex federal systems, implementation is easier than in India. The Indian model must account for its distinct political, cultural, and administrative complexity.
Hypothetical Real-World Scenario
Consider a scenario where a state government collapses mid-term due to a no-confidence motion. Under ONOE:
- The state could fall under the President's Rule, thereby prompting criticism for eroding democratic representation.
- Alternatively, holding an interim election may interrupt the synchronised timeline and result in additional costs.
Both situations underscore the need for robust contingency measures.
Way Forward-
Broad Political Consensus is Essential
- To guarantee that ONOE is implemented seamlessly, all political parties must agree on a framework and schedule.
Balance Between Efficiency and Federalism
- The idea must uphold India's federal spirit and ensure that regional interests are effectively reflected.
Strengthened Electoral Infrastructure
- Comprehensive investments in voting technology, training, and resources are critical.
Conclusion
The notion of One Nation, One Election is ambitious, with the potential to transform India's voting process by improving governance efficiency, lowering costs, and alleviating voter weariness. However, its implementation necessitates overcoming severe legal, logistical, and federal difficulties.