One nation one election

One nation one election refers to the idea of holding simultaneous polls for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha instead of separate and continuous elections. The current electoral system of the country holds separate polls for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in a gap of five years.

Historical Background:

• One Nation one election was the norm in India until 1967. Simultaneous elections were conducted for the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• However, in 1968 and 1969 some legislative assemblies were dissolved prematurely followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 1970. This forced a change in electoral schedules for the states and the country (in 1970, the Lok Sabha was dissolved prematurely and fresh elections were held in 1971)
• All these events led to the breakdown of the cycle of simultaneous elections in India.
• The idea of reverting to simultaneous polls was mooted in the annual report of the Election Commission in 1983.
• The Law Commission’s Report also referred to it in 1999. 
• The BJP government, after coming to power in 2014, had put forward a strong pitch for the conduct of simultaneous elections in the country. 
• In 2018, the Law Commission submitted a draft report endorsing the implementation of simultaneous polls, recommending changes to the electoral laws and Articles pertaining to the same.

Pros and cons of one nation, one election- :

"Pros"

• Cost savings: Polling is expensive but organising state assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously may reduce that cost.
• Stable governance: Besides, simultaneous elections may save time and the government can get five stable years to focus on governance instead of winning polls.
• To ensure that a state government does not fall without an alternative, the Law Commission recommended that a no-confidence motion against a government should be followed by a confidence motion so that if the Opposition doesn't have the numbers to form an alternative government, the regime in office cannot be removed.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: Political parties and candidates can allocate their resources, including time and manpower, more efficiently when elections are held together, optimizing their campaigns.
• Reduced Voter Fatigue: With fewer election cycles, voters may experience less fatigue, leading to higher voter turnout and more informed participation in the electoral process.

"Cons"

• Electronic voting machines (EVMs) which have a life span of 15 years, would only be used three times under the One Nation One Election proposal.
• Constitutional and Legal Hurdles: To implement the new election rules, some articles in the Constitution and Representation of the People Act (1951) would have to be amended. Every recognised state and national party would have to agree to the change.
• Article 172 and Article 83 deal with the duration of the Houses of Parliament, and guarantee a five-year term to both the elected Lok Sabha and state assemblies, unless they are dissolved sooner.
• Article 85 of the Indian Constitution deals with the powers of the President to summon Parliamentary sessions, not exceeding a gap of more than six months.
• The President also carries the power to adjourn either House of the Parliament and the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, comes into action in case of governance and constitutional failure in a state and deals with the President’ Rule.
• Amendments in the People’s Representation Act, 1951(RPA Act 1951) and the Anti Defection Law must be made for organised conduct and stability in both Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• No proposal made a provision for hung legislatures or the premature dissolution of governments.
• If the Centre will continue to have the power to dismiss the state government (under Article 356), there cannot be the One Nation One Poll rule eligible.
• Voters may end up voting on national issues even for state polls which would benefit larger national parties and marginalise regional parties.
• Under this rule, a wave of one person or one issue may give unbridled power to rule.

©️ sanjay verma