Amalapuram MP takes part in discussions on simultaneous polls
Harish Balayogi is part of the JPC that is on a study tour to Bengaluru for extensive interactions on the administrative, institutional and governance dimensions linked to ‘One Nation, One Election’
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Context
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the feasibility of 'One Nation, One Election' conducted a study tour in Bengaluru. The committee engaged in extensive consultations with political parties, state government officials, and representatives from Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to understand the administrative, institutional, and governance dimensions of holding simultaneous elections across the country.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
The concept of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) involves synchronizing elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies so that voters cast their ballots for both on the same day or within a specific timeframe. The ’s consultations highlight the significant constitutional hurdles involved. Implementing ONOE requires amending key constitutional provisions, notably (duration of Houses of Parliament), (dissolution of Lok Sabha), (duration of State Legislatures), and (dissolution of State Legislatures). Additionally, to prevent a breakdown in synchronization, constitutional mechanisms are needed to handle scenarios like a hung assembly, a no-confidence motion, or the premature dissolution of a house. The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, previously recommended a two-step process: first synchronizing Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, followed by local body elections within 100 days. UPSC Mains questions often focus on evaluating the feasibility of ONOE in India’s federal structure, demanding an analysis of these required constitutional amendments.
Governance
From a governance perspective, the push for simultaneous elections is driven by the argument that frequent elections lead to policy paralysis due to the continuous imposition of the (guidelines issued by the Election Commission regulating political parties and candidates prior to elections). Proponents argue that ONOE would allow governments to focus on long-term development rather than short-term populist measures tailored to win upcoming state elections. However, the JPC’s interaction with PSUs like and (though not explicitly named in the article, they are key players alongside those mentioned) underscores the massive logistical and administrative challenge. Procuring enough Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) to conduct nationwide simultaneous polls is a monumental task. Furthermore, deploying sufficient security personnel—central armed police forces and state police—across the entire country simultaneously requires unprecedented coordination. The governance challenge lies in balancing the potential efficiency gains against the immense operational complexities.
Federalism
The debate over ONOE fundamentally touches upon the nature of Indian federalism. Critics argue that holding simultaneous elections tends to nationalize state-level elections, potentially overshadowing regional issues with national narratives. This could disproportionately benefit national parties at the expense of regional parties. The fact that the JPC consulted with regional stakeholders and diverse political parties in Karnataka reflects the necessity of building a political consensus. Under , certain constitutional amendments affecting the federal structure (like changes to the powers of states or representation in Parliament) require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures. Therefore, any move towards ONOE cannot be achieved solely by parliamentary majority; it necessitates the agreement of a significant portion of the states, highlighting the complex interplay between national ambition and state autonomy in India’s quasi-federal system.