D K Pandita
Independent India adopted democracy. It was a choice in favour of recognizing and accepting the existence of differences which could at times be oppositional. Democracy, in other words, was associated with plurality of ideas and ways of life. India was re-born as a nation-state in very difficult circumstances. Perhaps no other country by then was born in a situation more difficult than that of India. Freedom came with partition, unprecedented violence and trauma of displacement of the countrymen.
It was in this situation that independent India started on its journey to achieve several objectives.
Independent India faced three kinds of challenges. The first and the immediate challenge was to shape a nation that was united, yet accommodative of the diversity in our society. The second challenge was to establish democracy. Independent India’s Constitution granted fundamental rights and extended the right to vote to every citizen. India adopted representative democracy based on the parliamentary form of government. These features ensure that the political competition would take place in a democratic framework. A democratic constitution is necessary but not sufficient for establishing a democracy. The challenge was to develop democratic practices in accordance with the Constitution. The third challenge was to ensure the development and wellbeing of the entire society and not only of some sections.
The first general election was also the first big test of democracy in a poor and illiterate country. Till then democracy had existed only in the prosperous and mostly literate countries, mainly in Europe and North America. Consequently India faced these challenges and solved them to a great extent but the major and the real challenge now was to evolve effective policies for economic development and eradication of poverty.
Democracy is a rule of the majority, in India the poor are in majority, so democracy must be a rule of the poor. Elections which are held to create the conditions of growth and progress must not become the hurdles of growth due to their frequent occurrence at national as well as at the gross root level at village Panchayats. To overcome these hurdles the present government under Prime Minister Modi is batting for ‘One Nation One Election’.
A committee was appointed under the Chairmanship of Ex President Ram Nath Kovind. The report on “One Nation, One Election” was released by the High-Level Committee in March 2024. The committee was tasked with examining the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and other local bodies across India. The report advocates for the implementation of simultaneous elections to reduce the frequency of polls and improve governance efficiency.
The report envisions several amendments. It proposes amending several constitutional provisions, including, Articles 83 and 172 (which set the terms for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies), Article 85 and 174 (related to the dissolution and summoning of Parliament and Assemblies), Article 356 (President’s rule). The report recommends holding simultaneous elections in a phased manner initially, while ensuring logistical preparedness and consensus among stakeholders.
To start this vibrant growth mechanism there will be challenges, such as Voter Turnout, voter participation, consensus building, achieving agreement among states and political parties, above all the legal and constitutional complexities. The Kovind report emphasizes the importance of maintaining federalism and democratic integrity while pursuing the concept of “One Nation, One Election.” The traditional election practice will increase the costs attributed to several factors. Rising prices contribute to higher logistical and operational expenses. With over 96 crore (960 million) registered voters, accommodating a larger electorate requires more resources. Ensuring free and fair elections necessitates significant investment in security infrastructure. Political parties are investing heavily in digital platforms and social media to reach a broader audience, further escalating costs. These escalating expenses have prompted discussions about electoral reforms, including the proposal for simultaneous elections to reduce costs and improve governance efficiency.
The “One Nation, One Election” concept aims to synchronize all elections in India, to be held once every five years. Proponents argue that simultaneous elections will reduce election costs, minimize policy paralysis, and ensure the smooth flow of development work. Opponents argue that simultaneous elections may undermine federalism, as local issues and regional parties may get subsumed by national.
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