Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India’s electoral process, while largely successful, faces persistent challenges related to cost, security, and disruption of governance. The frequent elections – Lok Sabha, State Assemblies – place a significant strain on public resources and administrative machinery. Recognizing these issues, several committees have proposed electoral reforms over the years. Currently, the ‘One Nation One Election’ (ONOE) principle, advocated by the government, aims to synchronize elections across the country, promising to address these concerns. This proposal stems from the belief that continuous election mode hinders policy implementation and economic development.
Existing Issues with the Current Electoral Cycle
The current system of holding separate elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies presents several challenges:
- High Costs: Frequent elections entail substantial financial expenditure on security, logistics, and administrative personnel.
- Disruption of Governance: The imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections often halts crucial policy decisions and development projects.
- Security Concerns: Prolonged election cycles strain security forces and increase vulnerability to disruptions.
- Staff Deployment: Massive manpower is diverted from regular duties for election management.
- Voter Fatigue: Frequent elections can lead to voter apathy and reduced participation.
Recommendations of Various Committees
Several committees have advocated for electoral reforms, including:
- Law Commission (1999): Recommended synchronizing elections, suggesting constitutional amendments.
- Goswami Committee (2015): Further elaborated on the feasibility of simultaneous elections, proposing a fixed calendar.
- Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007): Highlighted the need for comprehensive electoral reforms to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
The ‘One Nation One Election’ (ONOE) Principle
The ONOE proposal envisions holding elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies simultaneously. The core idea is to create a fixed calendar for elections, potentially with a single electoral roll. The government has formed a high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to examine the feasibility of ONOE and propose necessary legal and logistical changes (November 2023).
The proposed framework involves:
- Constitutional Amendments: Articles 85, 172, 324, and 329 of the Constitution may require amendments.
- Legal Framework: Amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, would be necessary.
- Logistical Challenges: Managing logistics for simultaneous elections across the country would be a massive undertaking.
Benefits of ONOE
- Reduced Costs: Significant savings in public expenditure due to fewer election cycles. (Statistic: Estimated savings of ₹8,500 crore - Law Commission, 1999)
- Improved Governance: Reduced disruption to governance as the MCC would be in effect for a shorter duration.
- Enhanced Focus on Policy: Governments can focus on policy implementation and development without the constant distraction of elections.
- Increased Voter Turnout: Potentially higher voter turnout due to increased awareness and engagement.
- Streamlined Security: More efficient deployment of security forces.
Challenges of ONOE
- Constitutional Difficulties: Amending the Constitution requires a complex process and broad political consensus.
- Logistical Hurdles: Managing elections for all states simultaneously presents significant logistical challenges, including EVM availability and manpower.
- Political Opposition: Some political parties oppose ONOE, fearing it could disadvantage them.
- Hangover Effect: If a government falls before its term, it could lead to a prolonged period of President’s Rule or necessitate early elections, defeating the purpose of synchronization.
- Federalism Concerns: Some argue it undermines the federal structure by potentially diminishing the autonomy of states.
Conclusion
The ‘One Nation One Election’ principle presents a compelling case for electoral reform, offering potential benefits in terms of cost savings, improved governance, and enhanced focus on policy. However, its implementation faces significant constitutional, logistical, and political challenges. A successful transition to ONOE requires broad political consensus, careful planning, and a robust legal framework that addresses concerns related to federalism and the stability of governments. A phased approach, starting with a pilot project, could be a pragmatic way forward.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.