Context

• Recently, the high level committee formed to consider the possibility of 'One Nation, One Election' has submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu.

Background

• The idea of one nation, one election was first presented by the Election Commission in the year 1983.
• It is noteworthy that till the year 1967, elections were held simultaneously in India. The first general elections to the Lok Sabha and elections to all state assemblies were held simultaneously in 1951–52. This pattern continued in the next three general elections held in the years 1957, 1962 and 1967.
• But this cycle was interrupted due to premature dissolution of some assemblies in the years 1968 and 1969. After a long gap, the Ramnath Kovind Committee was formed by the government to explore its possibility again.

Key Points

• This committee headed by former President Ramnath Kovind has prepared this report after talking to all the parties, experts and researchers.
• In this report, recommendations have been given related to conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections as well as municipal and panchayat elections in the coming time.
• The 18,626-page report, prepared in 191 days, said that 47 political parties had shared their views with the committee.
• According to the report, except 15 political parties, the remaining 32 parties supported this election system.

Committee Members

• This committee included Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, former 15th Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Dr. Subhash Kashyap, senior advocate Harish Salve and Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.
• Apart from this, Minister of State for Law (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal and Dr. Niten Chandra were included in the committee as special invitees.

Main recommendations of the committee

• A legal mechanism should be created to restore the cycle of simultaneous elections.
• Elections should be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, elections should be held for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. In the second phase, elections for municipalities and panchayats should be held.
• These should be coordinated with the first phase of elections in such a way that they are completed within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
• For this, a voter list and a voter photo identity card should be arranged with the advice of the Election Commission. Also, necessary amendments should be made in the Constitution for this.
• According to the committee's recommendation, in the event of a hung House or a no-confidence motion, re-elections can be held to form a new House.
• In this situation, the tenure of the new Lok Sabha (or Assembly) will be for the remaining term of the previous Lok Sabha (or Assembly). After this the House will be considered dissolved.
• These elections will be called 'mid-term elections', while the elections held after the end of the five-year term will be called 'general elections'.
• The President may, by notification, bring into force the provisions of this article on the day of the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after the general elections. That day shall be called the "appointed date".
• After this date, the tenure of the Legislative Assemblies shall be for the period ending before the expiry of the term of the Lok Sabha and the general elections to the subsequent Lok Sabha.
• After this, elections can be held simultaneously for the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of all the states.
• A group should be formed to focus on the implementation of the recommendations of the committee.
• The Election Commission should prepare plans and estimates in advance for making necessary logistics, such as procurement of EVM machines and VVPATs, deployment of polling personnel and security forces and other arrangements for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
• Whereas for the elections of municipalities and panchayats, this work should be done by the State Election Commission.
• Arguments of political parties opposing 'One Nation, One Election'
• Its adoption would be a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution.
• This process will be undemocratic, contrary to the federal structure, separating regional parties and increasing the dominance of national parties.
• Apart from this, this system will pave the way towards President's rule.

Benefits of holding simultaneous elections

• Reducing governance distractions
• Impact of Model Code of Conduct
• Addressing political corruption
• Cost savings and electoral infrastructure
• Optimum use of law enforcement resources
• Convenience to citizens
• Financial stability for state governments
• Curb on ‘horse-trading’