As suggested by a high-level commission led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has endorsed the concept for "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE). This plan tries to schedule state assembly and Lok Sabha (parliamentary) elections at the same time every five years, along with local body elections. Simplifying the voting process, cutting expenses associated with administration, and improving the effectiveness of governance are the main objectives.
A Recommended Road Map
1. First Phase:
(a)Elections Aligning the dates of state assembly elections with the Lok Sabha elections is the first step. According to the suggested timeframe, simultaneous elections should be in place by 2029.
(b)Important constitutional changes will be needed to accomplish this, especially to Articles 83 and 172 of the Indian Constitution, which specify the periods of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, respectively.
2.Second Phase:
- Local Body Election Synchronization - The second stage will entail scheduling elections for local government units like municipalities and panchayats once the parliamentary and state polls are in sync. The timing of these municipal elections—which will take place 100 days after the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections—will require additional revisions and state ratifications.
3. Implementation Difficulties
- Many state assemblies will need to be dissolved early in order to accommodate the new timetable due to the switch to simultaneous elections. The Kovind panel has indicated that certain people may have shorter sentences as a result of this shift.
state governments prior to the system reaching its full stability.
One Nation, One Election's Benefits
1. Cost Reduction – Synchronous elections at all governmental levels would considerably lessen the expense of holding elections on a regular basis. Savings on logistics, security, and administrative expenses are included in this.
2. Improved Governance– Governments may concentrate more on implementing policies than campaigning for elections when there are fewer elections. Long-term and more consistent policy decisions are anticipated as a result of this stability.
3. Decreased Voter Fatigue– Because there are now several elections taking place at various periods, voters are worn out and their turnout is decreased. A coordinated timetable would expedite the procedure and maybe boost turnout and voter involvement.
4. Administrative Efficiency - Coordinated election administration would improve administrative effectiveness, which includes voter infrastructure and electoral roll maintenance.
Difficulties with Having One Nation, One Election
1. Complex Transition- Enacting legislation and significant constitutional revisions is necessary to implement ONOE, and different political parties may oppose these changes. Legal obstacles and difficult logistical problems may arise during the changeover phase.
2. Affect on State Independence - Concerns have been expressed regarding the proposal's potential to undermine federal values and state sovereignty. States may believe that federal orders are overshadowing their election procedures, which might cause disputes between the federal and state administrations.
3. Transient Political Unrest - Shorter terms for a number of state administrations might occur during the transition phase, which could cause political unrest and problems with governance. This might have an impact on state-specific regulations and programs' ability to continue.
4. Potential for Centralization – Opponents contend that scheduling elections at the same time might result in a greater concentration of power as national concerns may take precedence over state-specific ones during election seasons.
ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION : A COMPARISON WITH THE PREVIOUS ELECTION SYSTEMS
1. Scheduling Elections
(i)ONOE 2024:
- Simultaneous Elections: Every five years, all elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, and local bodies (panchayats and municipalities) will take place at the same time.
-One Election Cycle: All governmental levels will have a single day of voting (or a phased approach if necessary) when voters cast their votes.
(II)Old System:
- Staggered Elections: Local bodies, state assemblies, and the Lok Sabha all have separate elections. This leads to several election cycles in a given year.
-Many Election Days: Election weariness may result from voters taking part in many elections at various national levels.
2 Academic Effectiveness
(i)ONOE 2024:
- Administration Simplified: Elections held simultaneously can reduce coordination problems and streamline administration. By combining elections into a single cycle, coordination issues and administrative complexity may be minimized.
• Cost Reduction: Less expensive overall election management as a result of fewer elections and coordinated logistical operations.
(II) Traditional Method:
• Administrative Burden: Holding separate elections for several governmental tiers can put a strain on resources and raise the expense of administration.
• Repeated electoral preparations, security arrangements, and voter outreach result in increased cumulative expenditures.
3. Establishing Policies and Governing:-
During ONOE 2024, administrations will be able to concentrate on implementing long-term policies without having to worry about frequent political disruptions due to fewer elections.
• Reduced disruptions from frequent elections can result in more stable and consistent government.
•Traditional Method:
a)Disruption to Governance: Regular elections can cause policy to be interrupted and political agendas to be centered around short-term gains.
b)Short-term Focus: Several election cycles may promote policies that prioritize short-term over long-term wins in the polls.
4. State autonomy and federalism
I) ONOE 2024:
• Impact on Federalism: Centralization of the voting process has the potential to diminish state sovereignty and influence regional political dynamics.
• State Synchronization: States could have to modify their election dates to coincide with federal deadlines, which might cause conflict in the area.
II)Old System:
• State Autonomy: States are able to organize elections in a way that best suits their needs, addressing local political realities and challenges.
• Federal Balance: Respecting the political climate of various regions, separate election cycles preserve a balance between state and federal interests.
5. Voter Participation and Engagement
(i)Why ONOE 2024:
• Enhanced Participation: A single election day might streamline procedures and perhaps boost voter turnout.
once.
•Why One voting event reduces confusion and facilitates voter engagement by allowing voters to interact with all tiers of government at once.
(ii)Previous System:
• Voter Fatigue: Attendance and excitement among voters may decline as a result of several elections held throughout the year.
• Difficult Voting: Schedules for various elections may make voting more difficult and perhaps lower voter turnout.
6. Real-World Difficulties
(i)Why ONOE 2024:
• Complexity of Implementation: Necessitates substantial constitutional modifications and meticulous planning to ensure all elections occur at the same time.
• Political Opposition: Various political parties and state officials worried about the balance of power at the federal level and local concerns may object.
(ii)The Old System
• Complex administration: Constant election cycles are well-known and established, yet they nevertheless require substantial administration.
• Adaptability: The current system is adaptable and may evolve to meet administrative and political demands.
If the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) system is put into place by 2029, then major changes will need to be made starting in 2024 in order to bring different states' election cycles into line with the new framework. An overview of the effects on state assemblies is provided below:
States Having Less Than Three Years to Complete Assembly
The assemblies in 17 states by 2029 will need to be modified in order to comply with the ONOE system, meaning that their five-year tenure will be shortened:
Current Situation: In order to guarantee that their elections coincide with the ONOE calendar, these states will need to make amendments.
Impact: In order to align with the new cycle, these assemblies' tenure may be reduced and elections may take place sooner than anticipated.
This may put these nations in a position where their administrations are in office for shorter than three years before the next round of elections takes place.
States with Five-Year Normal Terms
States holding elections in 2024: Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Impact: If the ONOE system is put into place, the assemblies in these states, which have elections this year, are anticipated to have terms that are nearly five years long. Under the new arrangement, their five-year tenure will expire before the next elections.
Moving to ONOE
Prompt Modifications: States with approaching elections or those with short terms will see modifications to conform to ONOE. As an illustration, assemblies whose mandates would inherently go beyond the ONOE implementation date could have been the words in them shortened.
Future Elections: The complete implementation of ONOE will result in simultaneous state and federal elections. This implies that states undergoing term changes will ultimately align with the federal electoral cycle.
Synopsis
By holding simultaneous elections for all levels of government, the "One Nation, One Election" concept seeks to simplify the electoral process, lower expenses, and promote stability in governance. On the other hand, the previous system had staggered elections at several levels, which increased administrative expenses and responsibilities but also gave the state more flexibility and autonomy. Weighing the advantages of stability and efficiency against possible threats to federalism and state-specific requirements is the process of selecting between these two systems.
The concept "One Nation, One Election" is a daring attempt to simplify India's election procedures. Although it offers a number of advantages, including lower costs and better governance, there are drawbacks, including those associated with the transition and possible effects on federal dynamics. The proposal's effective implementation will hinge on striking a balance between these advantages and disadvantages as it moves through state ratifications and parliamentary debates.
A difficult process of adjustment will accompany the switch to ONOE:
In order to comply with the ONOE framework,
States with Assemblies Shorter Than Three Years are expected to have early elections or term changes.
States With Elections in 2024: After serving out their whole terms, these states will be included in the ONOE calendar.
Careful handling of the process is necessary to guarantee a seamless shift to simultaneous elections in every state and at the federal level.
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