20-December-2024-Special-Article

ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION: KEY PROPOSALS AND IMPLICATIONS

The government has taken significant steps to implement “One Nation, One Election” by introducing two Constitution Amendment Bills: “The Constitution 129th Amendment Bill 2024” and “The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2024.”

These bills aim to synchronize elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, ensuring efficiency and stability in governance. Simultaneous elections were previously held in India from 1951 to 1967.

Key Features of the Bills

1. The Constitution 129th Amendment Bill 2024

This bill proposes the addition of Article 82A to the Constitution to align the terms of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Key provisions include:

Article 82A (1-6):

• Timeline for Implementation: The President will set an “appointed date” for the proposed changes to take effect after a general election.
• State Assembly Terms: All State Assemblies elected after the appointed date will end their term simultaneously with the Lok Sabha.
• Simultaneous Elections Defined: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct elections for the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies together.
• Deferral of Elections: The ECI can advise the President to defer an Assembly election. If deferred, the Assembly term will still align with the Lok Sabha.

Amendments to Articles 83 and 172:

• If the Lok Sabha dissolves early, the next Lok Sabha will serve only for the unexpired term.
• State Assemblies dissolved early will also have elections for the remaining term of the previous Assembly.

Amendment to Article 372:

• Adds “conduct of simultaneous elections” to Parliament’s powers regarding State Legislature elections.

Exclusion of Local Bodies:

• Local bodies and municipalities are excluded from simultaneous elections under this bill.

2. The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2024

This bill amends:

• Government of Union Territories Act, 1962
• Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

It enables simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies in Union Territories.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Elections

• Part XV (Articles 324-329): Empowers the ECI to supervise and control elections. Establishes a single electoral roll and mandates adult suffrage.
• Articles 82 and 170: Mandate delimitation of constituencies for fair representation after each census.
• Article 172: Specifies a five-year term for State Legislatures unless dissolved earlier.

High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections

Formation and Purpose

• Formed in September 2023 under former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• Tasked with evaluating the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections.

Key Observations

• Governance Stability: Simultaneous elections ensure fewer disruptions and stable governance.
• Cost Efficiency: Combined elections reduce administrative and financial costs.
• Single Electoral Roll: Recommends a unified electoral roll to streamline processes and reduce errors.
• Logistics: Emphasizes the need for detailed planning to manage the scale of simultaneous elections.

Challenges in Implementing Simultaneous Elections

Infrastructure Development

• Requires robust technological systems for smooth operations, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).
• For example, the 2024 general elections deployed 1.7 million Control Units and 1.8 million VVPAT systems.

Legal Issues

• Constitutional amendments may face legal challenges and require judicial review for compliance.

Regional Concerns

• Fear that national issues may overshadow local and regional issues during campaigns.

Administrative and Logistical Complexities

• Coordinating elections across states demands efficient management of electoral rolls, voter education, and security.

Strategies for Transitioning to Simultaneous Elections

Legal Clarity

• Clearly define procedures for simultaneous elections, including schedules and voter registration processes.

Strengthened Electoral Infrastructure

• Develop a unified electoral roll for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies.
• Implement advanced technology for voter verification and results tabulation.

Public Awareness Campaigns

• Conduct nationwide campaigns to educate voters on the benefits of simultaneous elections.
• Engage community organizations and NGOs to gather feedback and inform citizens.

Capacity Building

• Train election officials on new technologies and processes.
• Ensure seamless execution of simultaneous elections through proper coordination.

Conclusion

The “One Nation, One Election” initiative aims to enhance governance stability, reduce costs, and streamline electoral processes. However, its implementation requires careful planning, addressing regional concerns, and upgrading infrastructure. With clear legal frameworks and effective public awareness, simultaneous elections can bring significant benefits to India’s democratic system.

Mains Question:

1. “Discuss the constitutional, administrative, and logistical challenges associated with implementing ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India. Suggest measures to address these challenges while ensuring inclusivity and federal balance.” (150 WORDS)