Daily News Analysis :-

GS2- Election

Context: In September 2023, a high level committee on one nation, one election was set up under the chairmanship of Ramnath Kovind, who is a former President. It has sought various views and opinion from national and state parties on one nation, one election.

Feasibility of common elections

Proponents of common elections

1. Reduces expenditure significantly.
   • The 2014 elections cost the public exchequer around 3,400 crores.
   • ECI reported that 10,000 crore is needed one in 15 years if common elections are held.
2. Frequent Model Code of Conduct increases governance downtime.
   • Ideally MCC is implemented twice in 5 year election cycles.

3. Preoccupation of security forces in election processes compromises internal security aspectsof the nation.
4. Reduces divisiveness tendencies due to political strategies employed, if elections are held frequently. Eg: Majoritarianism, minority appeasement, caste politics.

Opponents of common elections

1. The cost of holding free and fair elections to elect a government of the choice of the people is a price that can never be high.
2. Effect on election cycles: Each state has it’s own election cycles of 5 years. Center dictating terms of election cycles or dissolving assemblies will go against states autonomy and federalism. In S.R. Bommai case, federalism is included in the basic structure.
3. MCC is essential to create a level playing field by reducing undue influence of party in power on voters.
4. Removal of government and dissolution assemblies within 5 years is a democratic process. Hence common elections might affect states independence and autonomy to carry on democratic processes.
5. Linguistic and cultural diversity of India: High level committee has sought opinions only in Hindi and English.

Way forward

1. Consultative processes by involving all physical parties and considering opinions in different languages.
2. Educate people about common elections and seek opinions of them as well.
3. Law commission of India opined
4. Twice in a year common elections can be considered.
5. States left with 6 months terms can be dissolved to operationalize common elections.

Key terms

1. One nation one election
2. S.R Bommai case
3. Federalism
4. State’s autonomy
5. Election cycles
6. Model code of conduct
7. Internal security
8. Linguistic and cultural diversity