Context

The concept of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies has been under scrutiny, with a High-Level Committee (HLC) headed by former President Ramnath Kovind investigating the matter.

Key issues:

• This initiative, aimed at streamlining the electoral process.
• Debates surrounding its impact on the federal character of India's Constitution.

Background

• Historically, during the initial four general election cycles from 1952 to 1967, elections to the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies were synchronized.
• However, due to premature dissolutions and varying election timings, the current system prevails.
• The idea of simultaneous elections has been proposed by the Election Commission of India in 1982 and reiterated by the Law Commission in 1999.

Case for Simultaneous Elections:

Cost Efficiency:

• Simultaneous elections offer substantial cost savings, estimated at around ?4,000 crore for the Central government per Lok Sabha election. State assembly elections also incur considerable expenses.
• With parties and candidates spending significantly, synchronized polls would alleviate financial burdens.

Governance and Administrative Convenience:

• Frequent State elections keep political parties in perpetual campaign mode, hindering policymaking and governance.
• The Model Code of Conduct, enforced during elections, further restricts announcements of new schemes or projects.
• Administrative machinery experiences slowdowns, affecting efficiency, and paramilitary forces are redeployed, disrupting routine operations.

Social Cohesion:

• Annual high-stakes elections contribute to polarizing campaigns, especially with the influence of social media.
• Simultaneous elections could potentially reduce divisive tactics, fostering social cohesion in India's diverse landscape.

Challenges Involved:

Federal and Democratic Concerns:

• Simultaneous elections may overshadow State-specific issues, favoring national political parties and compromising the federal spirit of India.
• Elections serve as a feedback mechanism, and infrequent polls could impede effective governance and policy adjustments based on electoral feedback.

Constitutional Amendments:

• Conducting simultaneous polls necessitates amendments to various articles of the Constitution, including Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356, addressing the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.

Recommendations:

Reports from the Law Commission (1999) and the Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015) provide insights:

Staggered Simultaneous Elections:

• One proposal suggests conducting Lok Sabha and half of the State assembly elections together, with the remaining State assembly elections after two and a half years.
• This would require constitutional amendments and modifications to the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Deterrents for Premature Dissolution:

• Introducing mandatory simultaneous 'no-confidence' and 'confidence' motions in case of premature dissolution could discourage MPs and MLAs from pushing for early elections.
• Newly constituted houses' durations should align with the original term.

Clubbing Bye-Elections:

Conducting bye-elections resulting from death, resignation, or disqualification annually could streamline the electoral process.

International Perspectives:

Parliamentary democracies like South Africa, Sweden, and Germany have fixed tenures for their legislatures, demonstrating successful implementation of simultaneous elections and stability in governance.

Ideal Solution:

• Striking a balance between diverse opinions, a middle ground could involve conducting Lok Sabha elections in one cycle and State assembly elections in another after two and a half years.
• Implementing recommended measures to prevent premature dissolution and streamline bye-elections could offer the benefits of simultaneous elections without compromising democratic and federal principles.

The debate on simultaneous elections in India requires a nuanced approach that considers the unique federal and democratic aspects of the nation. Implementing carefully crafted recommendations could pave the way for synchronized polls, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, while safeguarding the essence of India's diverse political landscape.