A high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which studied the feasibility of the 'One Nation, One Election' scheme, submitted its report last March. Placing the report before the Cabinet was part of the Law Ministry's 100-day agenda. The committee also proposed setting up an 'implementation committee' to look into the implementation of the committee's recommendations.
The group said simultaneous elections would help conserve resources, promote development and social cohesion, deepen the “foundations of democracy” and realise “India, that is Bharat”. The committee also recommended that the Election Commission of India prepare a common voter list and voter ID card in consultation with state election officials.
Currently, the Election Commission of India is responsible for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Also, State Election Commissions conduct local body elections for municipalities and panchayats. In this context, the High Level Committee for 'One Country, One Election' proposed 18 constitutional amendments. Most of those amendments do not require the approval of the state legislatures. However, it will require some constitutional amendment bills. These will have to be passed in the Parliament.
At least half of the states will have to approve some proposed changes related to single voter roll and single voter ID card. The Law Commission may soon release its report on holding simultaneous elections. Sources said the Law Commission may recommend holding simultaneous elections for the three levels of government – Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats – from 2029 and making arrangements for coalition government in case of a hung Parliament and Assembly.
A background view: It is notable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hoisted the national flag at Delhi's Red Fort on Independence Day last month, stressed on the implementation of the One Country, One Election scheme as the country's development work is getting affected due to periodic elections.
The National Law Commission sought the views of political parties on the 'One Nation, One Election' plan, which would allow simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state and Union Territory assemblies. It was argued at the time that the project raised many questions that needed to be answered. The project was discussed in an article published in 'Hindu Tamil Vectic' on January 19, 2023…
Until 1967, elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held simultaneously. Thereafter, due to the dissolution of some state governments and the formation of new states, elections to the Lok Sabha and several state assemblies had to be held at different times. The possibility of returning to the old practice was considered in 1983 and again in 1999. This was one of the BJP's promises for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of holding simultaneous elections across the country. In 2018, the National Law Commission began hearing the views of political parties in this regard.
But still the political parties could not come to a consensus. Many of the arguments given in favour of this scheme are not unreasonable, as the cost of elections will be reduced, the ruling parties will be able to do less work during election time, focus on welfare schemes, voting percentage will increase and candidates will be able to control the use of black money and corrupt money for elections.
But this would require shortening the term of the legislature in some states and extending it in others. The Constitution and the Representation of the People Act would have to be amended accordingly. This would require the consent of all political parties. It is not that simple. For example, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu is strongly opposed to the project. The opposition AIADMK has expressed its support.
Dissolving the elected state governments before their term is considered against the philosophy of democracy. Also, the state parties fear that holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections at the same time will benefit the national parties and this plan is against the federal philosophy of India.
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