Introduction to the Concept

The idea of simultaneous elections (for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies) was first proposed by the Prime Minister due to frequent elections keeping him on the campaign trail. This led to the formation of a high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to examine its feasibility.

Formation of the Committee

A high-level committee was set up with notable members such as:

• Amit Shah (Home Minister)
• Ghulam Nabi Azad (former Leader of Opposition)
• K. Singh (former Finance Commission Chairman)
• Subhash C. Kashyap (former Lok Sabha Secretary-General)
• Harish Salve (senior advocate)
• Sanjay Kothari (former Chief Vigilance Commissioner)
• Arjun Ram Meghwal (Minister of Law and Justice, special invitee)

The committee submitted its report in March 2024, shortly before the general elections. The concept of simultaneous elections was also part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto.

Key Recommendations

The committee recommended simultaneous elections for two main reasons:

• Cost Savings: Conducting elections only once every five years would significantly reduce financial costs.
• Minimizing Disruptions: Frequent elections impose the model code of conduct, which hampers developmental projects.

 Constitutional Amendments

Implementing simultaneous elections requires constitutional amendments, particularly:

• Amendments to Article 172: State Assemblies'' fixed tenure would be altered to align their elections with the Lok Sabha.

The amendment would need a special majority in Parliament (two-thirds of members present and voting). The ruling NDA, however, lacks the required numbers, making it difficult to pass the Bill without Opposition support.

 Challenges to Passing the Amendment Bill

• The NDA has approximately 292 members, but 362 votes are required to pass the constitutional amendment.
• Opposition parties are generally against the ‘one nation, one election’ proposal, creating a significant roadblock to passing the Bill.

 Financial Considerations

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) was allocated ₹466 crore for conducting the 2024 general elections, a relatively modest amount in the national budget.
• State governments also bear costs for logistical support during elections, but the overall expenditure for frequent elections is not considered enormous.
• While political parties spend significantly on elections, savings from reduced election frequency are unlikely to be directed toward developmental activities such as building infrastructure.

Federalism and Autonomy Concerns

• Impact on Federalism: Simultaneous elections would undermine the autonomy of State Assemblies, which are independent of the Lok Sabha under India’s federal system.
• Kesavananda Bharati Case: The landmark Supreme Court ruling established that the basic structure of the Constitution, including federalism, cannot be altered by Parliament. Curtailing State Assemblies’ tenure would violate this principle, raising concerns about the constitutionality of the amendment.

 Political and Social Implications

• Accountability: Frequent elections hold elected representatives accountable to the public, forcing them to engage with citizens regularly.
• Political Party Activity: If elections are held only once in five years, political parties may become lethargic, reducing their effectiveness in addressing people’s aspirations.
• Government Course Correction: Frequent elections allow governments to gauge public sentiment and make necessary course corrections.

Conclusion

Simultaneous elections could disrupt the federal balance of the Constitution, making it a contentious issue. Furthermore, it is not considered a pressing concern for most ordinary citizens. The proposal, while ambitious, faces both political and constitutional challenges that may prevent its successful implementation.

 Final Thoughts

The benefits of simultaneous elections, particularly cost savings and developmental efficiency, require closer scrutiny. Without empirical evidence supporting these claims, and considering the potential risks to India’s federal structure, the proposal remains a controversial and difficult undertaking.