| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: Impact of ONOE on federalism and regional representation and logistical challenges. Conclusion: Way forward |
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies to reduce costs, administrative burden, and frequent disruptions to governance.
Impact On Federalism, Regional Representation, And Logistical Challenges
- Undermining State Autonomy: The Constitution grants states the flexibility to dissolve their assemblies or call for fresh elections based on political needs (Articles 172, 174). The proposed Article 82A, mandating fixed tenures, curtails this flexibility, weakening the federal structure. States may be forced to align their election cycles with national elections, reducing their ability to address regional issues promptly.
- Marginalization of Regional Parties: Simultaneous elections favor national parties due to greater resources and media influence. Regional parties, which rely on localized issues and limited outreach, may struggle to maintain their electoral relevance. The dominance of national parties could lead to a presidential-style polity, undermining India’s parliamentary system.
- Massive Resource Mobilization: The proposal requires over 15 million polling personnel, including redeployment of security forces, within a short timeframe. Conducting elections at all three tiers is a herculean logistical task that could overwhelm the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Does It Promote Democratic Efficiency?
- Arguments in Favor:
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces financial costs of frequent elections for the exchequer and political parties.
- Policy Continuity: Frequent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) disrupts governance. Simultaneous elections could ensure policy stability.
- Voter Fatigue: Reduces repeated electoral fatigue, ensuring higher participation rates.
- Arguments Against:
- Accountability Gap: Regular elections serve as a check on government performance. Simultaneous polls would deny voters frequent opportunities to hold governments accountable.
- Focus on National Issues: State-specific issues and concerns of marginalized regions risk being overlooked during combined campaigns.
Conclusion
The proposal requires a national consensus and broader deliberation, ideally through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), to balance efficiency with democratic inclusivity.
