Joint polls, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi Government has expressed a positive approach towards the One Nation One Election proposal, indicating willingness to cooperate if required in the national interest.
• A committee, formed in December 2024, has been consulting stakeholders in Delhi and other states regarding simultaneous elections.
• The initial proposal suggests the first simultaneous elections in 2034, by curtailing terms of Assemblies elected after the Lok Sabha elections of 2029.
• States, including Delhi, could potentially align their Assembly terms with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections if they choose to curtail their terms.
• Delhi's Chief Minister stated that One Nation One Election is the "need of the hour."

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Detailed Insights:

• The High-Level Committee on One Nation One Election, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was constituted to examine and recommend mechanisms for simultaneous polls.
• Historically, India conducted simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies until 1967, a practice disrupted by premature dissolutions.
• The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were introduced to enable simultaneous elections.
• Implementing simultaneous elections would necessitate amendments to key constitutional provisions, including Article 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (duration of State Legislative Assemblies).
• Proponents argue that simultaneous elections can reduce significant election expenditure, enhance governance efficiency by minimizing disruptions from the Model Code of Conduct, and ensure policy continuity.
• Concerns include potential threats to federalism, the overshadowing of regional issues by national narratives, and challenges to the accountability of state governments.
• The committee has recommended a two-step implementation: first, synchronizing Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, followed by local body elections within 100 days.
• Suggestions from the Delhi Speaker included examining issues like synchronisation of electoral cycles, constructive votes of no-confidence, harmonisation of electoral rolls, and strengthening the logistical preparedness of the Election Commission of India.
• The committee also proposed the creation of a single electoral roll and Voter ID Card by the Election Commission of India in consultation with State Election Commissions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• One Nation One Election: A proposal to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies to occur simultaneously.
• Lok Sabha: The lower house of India's bicameral Parliament, directly elected by universal adult suffrage.
• Legislative Assembly: The lower house of the legislature in Indian states, also known as Vidhan Sabha.
• Constructive Vote of No-Confidence: A parliamentary procedure where a government can be removed only if the opposition simultaneously proposes and elects a successor.
• Model Code of Conduct: A set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for political parties and candidates to ensure free and fair elections.