Delhi conclave raises federalism concerns over ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• A conclave of eminent citizens in New Delhi rejected the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, citing concerns about fracturing India's federal structure.
• Participants expressed apprehension that the proposal would curtail the autonomy of State Assemblies.
• Concerns were also raised regarding the status of the Indian Passport and the shifting burden of proving citizenship onto individuals.
• Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa questioned the outcome of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, claiming nearly 16 crore people have been disenfranchised.
• Former Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai called for wider public consultation on the upcoming caste census.

Detailed Insights:

• The conclave, held at the Constitution Club of India, brought together retired bureaucrats, judges, lawyers, professors, and civil society leaders.
• Speakers argued that ‘One Nation, One Election’ would undermine the constitutional empowerment of State Assemblies to manage their own affairs.
• The perceived degradation of the Indian Passport to a "mere travel document" has fueled anxieties about the nature of citizenship.
• Former EC Ashok Lavasa highlighted the lack of public data on deletions from electoral rolls due to ineligibility, despite claims of 16 crore disenfranchisements.
• Former Supreme Court judges at the meeting stated that the fundamental right to vote was being compromised.
• Participants criticized the Election Commission for resisting demands to make public documents like Form 17C, CCTV footage, and presiding officer diaries.
• G.K. Pillai emphasized that the 2027 Population Census, including the caste census, would be a critical demographic exercise influencing delimitation and welfare allocation.
• Transparency, public consultation, clear classification criteria, and careful implementation are crucial for the success of both the Census and the caste census.

Key Concepts Involved:

• One Nation, One Election: A proposal for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies.
• Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units like states.
• Electoral Rolls: The official list of all persons entitled to vote in a particular election constituency.
• Caste Census: A comprehensive enumeration of the population that includes data on caste affiliations.