Q1. Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to “one nation – one election” principle. (Answer in 150 words)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Introduction:
Electoral reforms in India have been a subject of discussion for decades to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness of the electoral process. The concept of “One Nation – One Election” aims at synchronizing elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Body:
In a significant move towards electoral reform, the High-level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, constituted under the chairmanship of Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, has proposed simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies in India.
Need for Electoral Reforms:
• Criminalization of Politics: A growing number of elected representatives with criminal backgrounds pose a threat to the integrity of the electoral system. Example: The Law Commission (2015) and Supreme Court rulings have emphasized the need to bar candidates with serious criminal charges from contesting elections.
• Example: The Law Commission (2015) and Supreme Court rulings have emphasized the need to bar candidates with serious criminal charges from contesting elections.
• Money Power in Elections: The influence of money in elections has escalated, with unregulated funding leading to corruption and unequal playing fields. Example: Electoral bonds, though introduced for transparency, have faced criticism for lack of disclosure on donor identities. Committees have suggested reforms to cap spending and enhance transparency.
• Example: Electoral bonds, though introduced for transparency, have faced criticism for lack of disclosure on donor identities. Committees have suggested reforms to cap spending and enhance transparency.
• Political Instability due to Frequent Elections: India witnesses elections almost every year at different levels, leading to policy paralysis due to the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. Frequent elections divert attention and resources from governance to electioneering.
• Frequent elections divert attention and resources from governance to electioneering.
• Voter Turnout and Inclusiveness: Ensuring higher voter participation, especially among marginalized groups and migrants, remains a challenge. The Election Commission has proposed measures like remote voting for migrants.
• The Election Commission has proposed measures like remote voting for migrants.
• Misuse of Technology and Social Media: The growing role of social media in influencing voters has raised concerns about fake news, misinformation, and the potential for manipulation. Electoral reforms are needed to regulate digital campaigns and ensure a level playing field.
• Electoral reforms are needed to regulate digital campaigns and ensure a level playing field.
• Inefficiencies in the Electoral Roll: Errors and discrepancies in electoral rolls lead to disenfranchisement. Committees have recommended strengthening the process of updating and maintaining electoral databases to prevent duplication and ensure voter inclusivity.
• Committees have recommended strengthening the process of updating and maintaining electoral databases to prevent duplication and ensure voter inclusivity.
• Need for Simultaneous Elections: The concept of “One Nation – One Election” has been suggested to reduce election-related expenditure, minimize voter fatigue, and ensure policy continuity.
Recommendations by Committees for Electoral Reforms:
• Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990): Recommended curbing the influence of money power, ensuring transparency in the electoral roll process, and considering state funding of elections.
• Law Commission (2015): Proposed a ban on paid news, addressing issues of criminalization of politics, and revisiting the anti-defection law to ensure political stability.
• Election Commission of India (2022): Suggested reforms in transparency of electoral bonds, stringent laws to counter the misuse of social media, and the introduction of remote voting for migrant voters.
One Nation – One Election:
• Concept: Simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies to streamline the electoral process.
• Need for Reform: Reduced Expenditure: Conducting multiple elections leads to high administrative and financial costs. The simultaneous election model can help minimize these. Example: In 2019, the Lok Sabha elections alone cost ₹60,000 crores. Consistent Governance: Frequent elections lead to policy paralysis and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, delaying crucial governance activities. Reduced Voter Fatigue: Simultaneous elections may boost voter turnout by minimizing election fatigue caused by recurring polling cycles.
• Reduced Expenditure: Conducting multiple elections leads to high administrative and financial costs. The simultaneous election model can help minimize these. Example: In 2019, the Lok Sabha elections alone cost ₹60,000 crores.
• Example: In 2019, the Lok Sabha elections alone cost ₹60,000 crores.
• Consistent Governance: Frequent elections lead to policy paralysis and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, delaying crucial governance activities.
• Frequent elections lead to policy paralysis and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, delaying crucial governance activities.
• Reduced Voter Fatigue: Simultaneous elections may boost voter turnout by minimizing election fatigue caused by recurring polling cycles.
• Simultaneous elections may boost voter turnout by minimizing election fatigue caused by recurring polling cycles.
Challenges Highlighted by Committees:
• Logistical Issues: Synchronizing elections across all states is challenging due to differing political tenures and frequent dissolution of assemblies. The Law Commission (2015) raised concerns over the feasibility of aligning all elections.
• The Law Commission (2015) raised concerns over the feasibility of aligning all elections.
• Federal Structure Concerns: Simultaneous elections might undermine the autonomy of states, with the Sarkaria Commission (1983) emphasizing that federal principles must be safeguarded.
• Simultaneous elections might undermine the autonomy of states, with the Sarkaria Commission (1983) emphasizing that federal principles must be safeguarded.
• Constitutional Amendments Required: The Election Commission has noted that the implementation of this model will require major constitutional amendments (Articles 83, 172, 85, and 356) to synchronize assembly terms with the Lok Sabha.
• The Election Commission has noted that the implementation of this model will require major constitutional amendments (Articles 83, 172, 85, and 356) to synchronize assembly terms with the Lok Sabha.
Conclusion:
Discussions have resurfaced regarding simultaneous elections, with the NITI Aayog proposing a phased implementation of simultaneous elections to resolve logistical issues. A phased implementation could offer a balanced solution to address logistical and political concerns while moving toward a unified electoral system.