One Nation, One Election and Representative Democracy

Source: This post on One Nation, One Election and Representative Democracy has been created based on article “One Nation One Election and representative democracy”published in The Hindu on 30^th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topics- GS 2-Polity

Context: The article critically examines the proposal for One Nation, One Election (ONOE) as outlined in the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the context of India’s representative democracy. The proposal aims to streamline elections for the LokSabha and State Legislative Assemblies to reduce administrative costs and election fatigue. One Nation One Election and Representative Democracy

What is the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024?

The Bill proposes simultaneous elections for the LokSabha and State/Union Territory Legislative Assemblies by introducing Article 82(A). Key points include:

1. Synchronising elections to align LokSabha and State Assemblies.
2. Fixing the LokSabha’s tenure, with mid-term elections only covering the remainder of the term if dissolved early.
3. Amendments to Articles 83, 172, and 327 to take effect after the 2029 elections, with implementation from 2034.
4. A separate Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill aligns the tenure of Union Territory Assemblies with this framework.

What are the goals of One Nation, One Election (ONOE)?

The proposal seeks administrative efficiency and reduction in election fatigue. However, it raises concerns about inclusivity and the representation of diverse voices in Indian democracy.

How does representative democracy function in India?

Representative democracy allows citizens to elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. Key principles include:

1. Free and fair elections.
2. Political accountability.
3. Protection of minority rights alongside majority rule. This system balances governance stability with the accommodation of diverse interests, relying on periodic elections and institutional checks and balances.

What challenges does representative democracy face globally?

A 2024 study highlights increasing disillusionment:

1. Citizens in 24 nations, including India, expressed doubts about its effectiveness.
2. Alternatives like direct democracy, expert rule, or authoritarian regimes are being considered by some.
3. In several countries, support for military rule or strong leaders bypassing parliamentary checks indicates growing frustration with institutional inefficiencies.

What were Jayaprakash Narayan’s critiques of Indian parliamentary democracy?

Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) identified significant flaws in his 1959 work, A Plea for Reconstruction of Indian Polity:

1. Risks of minority governments: India’s multi-party system may lead to unstable or unrepresentative governments.
2. Demagoguery and populism: Political parties manipulate public opinion through half-truths and divisive rhetoric.
3. Centralisation of power: Parliamentary democracy concentrates power, weakening intermediary institutions.
4. High financial costs of elections: Excessive costs tether democracy to moneyed interests. While critical, JP’s intent was to reform and strengthen democracy. His insights remain relevant in the ONOE debate.

Has the ONOE proposal adhered to democratic principles?

Critics argue the process lacked inclusivity and transparency, violating the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy, 2014:

1. Inadequate consultation period: Citizens were given only 10 days to respond to a public notice issued in January 2024.
2. Lack of explanatory material: No background papers or detailed notes were provided.
3. Framing of questions: The ‘yes/no’ format appeared perfunctory, suggesting a pre-decided agenda.

These procedural flaws risk alienating citizens and undermining trust in the reform process.

What are the potential implications of ONOE for representative democracy?

1. Centralisation vs. federalism: Synchronising elections may centralise power, overshadowing state-specific issues with national narratives.
2. Inclusivity and participation: Rushed reforms risk sidelining citizen voices and weakening democratic inclusivity.
3. Electoral accountability: Frequent elections enable regular evaluation of governments. Simultaneous elections might dilute this accountability.

What is essential for preserving democracy in the context of ONOE?

India’s democracy thrives on citizen participation, inclusivity, and accountability. While efficiency is important, reforms like ONOE must:

1. Reflect diverse perspectives.
2. Foster consensus through meaningful public engagement.
3. Avoid centralisation and rushed processes to maintain trust in democratic governance.

This ensures that Indian democracy remains representative in both letter and spirit.