One Nation One Election

ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

Yesterday PM Narendra Modi had called all party meeting to discuss to  the issue of holding elections for Parliament  and state assemblies simultaneously. The meet was attended by 21 of the 40 parties represented in the parliament, with three more sending written submissions-saw most parties favouring the proposal, even then the PM  said the decision will be taken by consensus. A committee is being set us look into the possibility of holding simultaneous elections.

Prominent leaders who attended the meeting were Nitish Kumar (JD U), Sukhbir Singh Badal (Akali Dal), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechuri (CPM), D Raja (CPI) Baveen Patnail (BJD), Jagan Reddy (YSR Congress), KT Ramarao (TRS) Conard Sangma (NPP), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) and Farooq Abdullah (NC). The prominent parties who went un represented were Congress, TMC, BSP, SP. DMK, Shiv Sena and AAP. Most of the parties gave their support, CPM & CPI had a difference of opinion but they did not oppose the idea, just the implementation of it. In his last term as PM , Narendra Modi had sounded the idea of One Nation One Election , and it was there in election manifesto of BJP in 2014 & 2019. The basic idea of this move is that it will save money and time, otherwise country is in constant election mode.

It is not, this is some thing new. After the independence,  in the first three general elections, the voters used to cast their votes for both Parliament and state assembly, they used to be given 2 ballot papers, one foe parliament election and other for Assembly, and they were asked to put their 2 votes in two different boxes. But after mid 60s when defections started happening in state assemblies, and centre started imposing President’s rule in the state, then this practice of holding simultaneous elections were curtailed. Even during 2019 General Elections few states like Andhra, Telengana, Odisha had a simultaneous poll of state assembly also, there was no problem. People voted  in two separate Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). People voted for even different parties in parliament and assembly poll. Some parties contention that state and central issues are different, this way voters might be confused ,did not hold true in these states. They voted intelligently.

The Law commission recommended simultaneous elections to Parliament and State Assemblies way back in 1999. The matter was also referred to Standing Committee of Parliament in Dec 2015, which supported it. The same was then also supported by Election Commission, in principle.

Now what are the Pros or merits for holding simultaneous elections. It will reduce the cost for holding an election. As per the expert the last 2019 elections must have totally  cost Rs 60,000 Cr. This is divided into 2 parts. One the expenditure to the Govt, which would be around Rs 10,000 Cr and Rs 50,000 Cr spent by political parties and candidates. In the last elections about Rs 3,400 Cr were seized in cash, liquor, drugs and other freebies, this can also be curbed if the elections are held simultaneously. Secondly with Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will be operative only once and not frequently, so that Central or State govts are in position to announce public related new schemes without any fear of breach of MCC in operation  in some parts. This way Policy Paralysis can be avoided. Thirdly elections are time when communalism, hate speech, casteism and corruption at peak. In a country where one election follows another, there is no respite from these evils.

From the point of view of Election Commission (EC) and the Election Management simultaneous elections are brilliant idea.

Now only problem is what happens when Central Govt or any State govt falls in between the 5 years ( the between  two subsequent elections). In the present scenario of coalition politics this scenario can not be denied. In my opinion when the re poll becomes essential in that case, the term of the either new Loksabha or new Assembly should be the balance period of dissolved Loksabha or assembly. In the case if the central govt falls  in the fifth year, then full country can go for elections. In case any state govt falls in the fifth year then that state goes under Governor’s rule till the next elections. This way politicians will think twice before toppling any govt in mid term. And one more deterrent can be added , in case of collapse of govt during mid term, no pension should be payable to the members of those houses.

In my opinion One nation One Poll will be brilliant idea, but our politician specially from certain opposition parties/ ranks are there to oppose any thing which is proposed by Narendra Modi and his govt, irrespective of whether it is good or bad for nation.

What you say my friends.

Awaiting comments/feed backs /views.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

20^th Jun 2019