Score:
9/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS2
Indian Polity
15 marks
Critically examine the Election Commission’s stance on simultaneous elections in India, especially with reference to the basic structure doctrine and election-related institutional mechanisms.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- ECI's stance on simultaneous elections
- Critical examination with reference to basic structure doctrine
- Impact on election-related institutional mechanisms
- Constitutional and practical implications
What you wrote:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has broadly supported the principal of simultaneous election for efficiency but has highlighted major constitutional logistical and institutional constraints.
The debate must be examined in the context of the supreme court's Basic structure doctrine, especially federalism, parliamentary democracy and free and fair election.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has broadly supported the principal of simultaneous election for efficiency but has highlighted major constitutional logistical and institutional constraints.
The debate must be examined in the context of the supreme court's Basic structure doctrine, especially federalism, parliamentary democracy and free and fair election.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by defining simultaneous elections more clearly (e.g., "conducting Lok Sabha and all state assembly elections together within a specific timeframe")
What you wrote:
ECI's stand:
(1) Administrative efficiency: ECI states that simultaneous election reduce the frequent imposition of model code of conduct (MCC) allowing uninterrupted governance.
(2) Cost reduction!: In 2019 Lok Sabha elections cost approx 60,000 Crore. (Government + parties). Simultaneous election would significantly reduce this.
(3) Operational readiness: ECI affirms that large-scale deployments of EVM/VVPATs and manpower is possible but requires huge investment and planning.
(4) Need for constitutional amendments: ECI emphasis that it cannot implement simultaneous polls without major amendment involving Article 83, 172, 356 and Tenth schedule.
ECI's stand:
(1) Administrative efficiency: ECI states that simultaneous election reduce the frequent imposition of model code of conduct (MCC) allowing uninterrupted governance.
(2) Cost reduction!: In 2019 Lok Sabha elections cost approx 60,000 Crore. (Government + parties). Simultaneous election would significantly reduce this.
(3) Operational readiness: ECI affirms that large-scale deployments of EVM/VVPATs and manpower is possible but requires huge investment and planning.
(4) Need for constitutional amendments: ECI emphasis that it cannot implement simultaneous polls without major amendment involving Article 83, 172, 356 and Tenth schedule.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add ECI's timeline concerns (e.g., "ECI has stated that implementing simultaneous elections would require 6-7 years of preparation including constitutional amendments and logistical arrangements")
- Could mention ECI's emphasis on consensus-building requirement (e.g., "ECI has stressed that such a major reform requires broad political consensus across party lines")
What you wrote:
Basic structure concerns:
(1) Federalism: Simultaneous may dilute the autonomy of states by binding state assembly terms to the Lok Sabha. eg - Sarkaria commission and Punchi Commission strongly warned against undermining federal balance.
(2) Parliamentary democracy: No confidence motions, premature dissolutions and coalition collapses are inherent to parliamentary democracy. Fixing terms may violate its "fluidity".
case: S.R. Bommai (1994) emphasized democratic federalism.
Basic structure concerns:
(1) Federalism: Simultaneous may dilute the autonomy of states by binding state assembly terms to the Lok Sabha. eg - Sarkaria commission and Punchi Commission strongly warned against undermining federal balance.
(2) Parliamentary democracy: No confidence motions, premature dissolutions and coalition collapses are inherent to parliamentary democracy. Fixing terms may violate its "fluidity".
case: S.R. Bommai (1994) emphasized democratic federalism.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen with Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) reference (e.g., "The Basic Structure Doctrine established in Kesavananda Bharati prevents amendments that alter the Constitution's fundamental character")
- Could add separation of powers concern (e.g., "Simultaneous elections might blur the distinction between national and state issues, affecting the federal distribution of powers under the Seventh Schedule")
What you wrote:
Institutional mechanisms impacted
(1) Governor's role: Risk of misuse to artificially align terms.
(2) ECI's burden: need for 30 Lakh EVMs, large upgraded logistics and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
(3) MCC reforms: one time long MCC may hinder government functioning more.
Institutional mechanisms impacted
(1) Governor's role: Risk of misuse to artificially align terms.
(2) ECI's burden: need for 30 Lakh EVMs, large upgraded logistics and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
(3) MCC reforms: one time long MCC may hinder government functioning more.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could discuss impact on political party strategies (e.g., "Simultaneous elections might favor national parties with better resources, potentially affecting regional party representation and democratic diversity")
- Could elaborate on Anti-Defection Law implications (e.g., "The Tenth Schedule's anti-defection provisions might need revision to handle premature dissolutions in simultaneous election framework")
What you wrote:
While ECI supports simultaneous decisions in principle, the idea raises deep concerns regarding basic structure values and the functioning of democratic institutions. A balanced approach, and partial simultaneity is more realistic than a full-scale shift.
While ECI supports simultaneous decisions in principle, the idea raises deep concerns regarding basic structure values and the functioning of democratic institutions. A balanced approach, and partial simultaneity is more realistic than a full-scale shift.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by referencing specific reform suggestions (e.g., "The Law Commission's 2018 report suggested clustering elections in two phases - Lok Sabha with some state assemblies, and remaining states separately - as a more feasible alternative")
Your answer demonstrates strong constitutional knowledge and balanced analysis. The structure effectively addresses ECI's stance and basic structure concerns, though it could benefit from more specific institutional mechanism analysis and recent reform proposals.
Demand of the Question
- ECI's stance on simultaneous elections
- Critical examination with reference to basic structure doctrine
- Impact on election-related institutional mechanisms
- Constitutional and practical implications
What you wrote:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has broadly supported the principal of simultaneous election for efficiency but has highlighted major constitutional logistical and institutional constraints.
The debate must be examined in the context of the supreme court's Basic structure doctrine, especially federalism, parliamentary democracy and free and fair election.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has broadly supported the principal of simultaneous election for efficiency but has highlighted major constitutional logistical and institutional constraints.
The debate must be examined in the context of the supreme court's Basic structure doctrine, especially federalism, parliamentary democracy and free and fair election.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by defining simultaneous elections more clearly (e.g., "conducting Lok Sabha and all state assembly elections together within a specific timeframe")
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