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Simultaneous Elections in India: A Path to Efficiency or a Threat to Federalism?

Oct. 18, 2024   •   Samridhi Garg, Student at University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Student's Pen  

Why is ONOE again in the limelight?

The concept of One Nation, One Election, also known as Simultaneous elections, is again making the headlines, which got approval from the Union Cabinet which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with 15 other political parties apart from BJP opposing it. 

Current electoral system of India:-

India, as the largest democracy in the world, with diverse cultures, languages, and socio-economic conditions, follows a federal structure. This structure divides power between the central government and the state governments to ensure autonomy and accountability. Till date, elections are conducted at multiple levels in India – national, state, and local. This allows governments at various levels to exercise autonomy to address their unique needs and challenges.

Challenges associated with the current electoral system:-

The current system is lacking, often leading to frequent and staggered polls, which places a heavy financial burden on the Election Commission of India (ECI). Proponents have therefore suggested that One Nation One Election could be the best solution to these issues. They argue that it would streamline the election process in India, significantly reduce election expenditure from frequent elections, increase transparency and accountability in terms of finances by various political parties, and ensure transparency in the overall voting process. India is no stranger to the concept of simultaneous elections. Until 1967, only one election cycle was held across the country, with great success. However, the rise of regional parties and their victories in state polls made holding simultaneous elections less efficient.

What is One Nation, One Election?

To simply explain, One Nation One Election is a system whereby Lok Sabha (Lower house of the parliament) and State Assembly elections are held at the same time, to reduce the frequency of polls throughout the country. As the name suggests, it is the synchronisation of the timing of the electoral process so that people can cast their votes for their chosen candidates for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, on the same day and at the same time or in a phased manner, as the Election Commission of India would deem necessary depending upon the situation.

Even though simultaneous polls have their benefits, they have their own sets of problems wherein the cons usually outweigh the pros. This article focuses on providing an unbiased and nuanced analysis of the impact of synchronised elections on India's federal structure, as well as its political and demographic landscape. 

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of simultaneous elections:-

  • Cost efficiency: Reduce significant costs associated with security, logistics, and administrative overhead.
  • Transparency in funding: Clarity in the expenditure incurred by political parties on campaigning and the funds generated by them through donations.
  • Optimization of resources: Better allocation of funds for developmental projects, healthcare, security forces, and administrative personnel to address national security concerns.
  • Administrative efficiency: Efficient election management.
  • Enhanced voter participation: Reduction in election-related activities leads to increased public enthusiasm and participation.
  • Stable governance: Better coordination between the central government and the states.
  • Enhance long-term policy planning and implementation: Various administrations can carry out reforms, attract investments, and build infrastructure without any inconsistencies. However, these inconsistencies often arise due to the Model Code of Conduct implemented by the Election Commission before the date of the election. This is done to ensure that the party enjoying a wave of popularity does not gain an unfair advantage.

It can be inferred that holding simultaneous elections has several advantages. However, the key question is whether these benefits outweigh the drawbacks of implementing this system.

Significant issues in implementation of ONOE:-

The One Nation, One Election (ONOE) proposal faces significant constitutional and practical challenges. One major obstacle is the need to amend five articles of the Indian Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to implement this system, requiring agreement from every recognized state and national party, which is not an easy task to accomplish. Another major drawback of ONOE is the potential threat to India's quasi-federal structure. Separate elections for the central and state governments ensure independence in internal affairs. However, if elections are combined, local issues may be overshadowed by national concerns, potentially harming the state economy. Other associated issues have been discussed below:

  • Political dominance of national parties: Simultaneous elections might give a disproportionate advantage to national political parties, allowing them to prioritize their issues over regional ones. This shift could diminish the voice of regional parties in governance.
  • Erosion of State Election Autonomy: Analysis by IDFC Institute shows that if elections are held simultaneously for both the state and the center, there is a 77% chance that a voter will vote for the same party in both, thereby reducing the autonomy and credibility of the state government.
  • Constitutional concerns: The main challenge is making changes to five different articles of the Constitution. To do this, a bill must be passed and ratified by at least half of the members in both houses of the parliament.
  • Policy Paralysis: The Model Code of Conduct bars the government from announcing any new policies or projects until the elections are over, which brings the state machinery to a standstill and causes ‘policy paralysis’.
  • Challenges in Policy Implementation: Different states have their own set of issues that require tailored policy responses, but simultaneous elections would lead to a one-size-fits-all approach, leading to compromise on state-level issues.
  • Administrative and Logistical Challenges: Major operational challenges in logistics, security, manpower, and machinery (EVMs and VVPATs) require significant resources and careful planning.
  • Dominance of national issues over local concerns: State leaders may struggle to express their views and priorities for the region when debates on national issues take the spotlight due to mainstream national parties.

Conclusion:-

The concept of simultaneous elections may seem very befitting for the Indian electoral system, but it has its drawbacks. Implementing "One Nation One Election" would require significant constitutional amendments, political consensus, and the ability to address concerns effectively while upholding the principles of democracy and federalism. Moving forward, a thorough evaluation and analysis of ONOE within the Indian democratic system, particularly federalism, is necessary. Since violating this principle could jeopardize the existence of democracy in India. Ultimately, the goal should be to strengthen India's democracy while respecting diverse voices and the principles of state autonomy, representation, and voter engagement.

References

The author affirms that this article is an entirely original work, never before submitted for publication at any journal, blog or other publication avenue. Any unintentional resemblance to previously published material is purely coincidental. This article is intended solely for academic and scholarly discussion. The author takes personal responsibility for any potential infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to any individuals, organizations, governments, or institutions.

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