One Nation One Election Bill Deferred: Implications for India's Electoral Future

The Indian government has now decided to defer two significant bills related to the One Nation One Election initiative. This proposal has the idea of synchronizing the elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to ensure they happen together. They were initially scheduled for a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday, but removed from the agenda, hinting at a delay.

Understand One Nation One Election

The One Nation One Election is an idea under which India's national parliament and all the state assemblies are elected simultaneously. In the earlier years, such practice existed but was marred due to various political conditions. Its basic objective is to curb election expenses, which has been highly decentralized and very costly.

Background and Rationale

The One Nation One Election initiative has been the prime focus of the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he took over in 2014. The reasons for this initiative are as follows:

• Less Frequency of Elections: Frequent elections become a challenge for governance and may lead to policy paralysis.
• Cost Saving: Saving election expenses on both sides, that of the government and political parties.
• Increased Voting: Consolidation of elections may increase voter turnout due to less fatigue from frequent elections.

The Union Cabinet finally cleared the One Nation One Election Bill on 12 December 2024. It proposes holding Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies' elections in one go within a 100-day window. This decision is a result of extensive consultation carried out by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Key Amendments and Legislative Framework

To implement this radical plan, at least five Articles of the Constitution will have to be amended. The amendments include:

• Constitutional Amendment Bill: Synchronization of the tenures of Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• Electoral Roll Provisions: Updating electoral rolls for local body elections.
• State Ratification Requirement: Any step toward synchronization of local body elections would require ratification from at least 50% of state assemblies.

The government feels the reforms will result in an electoral process that is much efficient and may increase India's GDP by 1% to 1.5% as estimated by economists of the Kovind committee.

Agenda of Current Legislature

As of now, the Lok Sabha will discuss financial grants and appropriation bills rather than One Nation One Election bills. In addition, a debate in the Rajya Sabha will be conducted regarding the 75-year journey of India's Constitution.

Opposition leaders have condemned the proposed bills, arguing that they undermine federalism and create confusion in governance. Some of the opposition parties have indicated that simultaneous elections would water down regional issues' coverage in national discourse. However, ruling party supporters argue that it will make governance efficient.

Future Outlook for India

Looking ahead, if this initiative is implemented successfully, One Nation One Election will go a long way in transforming the electoral landscape of India. Some of the potential outcomes are as follows:

• Cost Cutting: Simultaneous conduct of elections will save millions of rupees on security deployments, polling officials, and campaign costs.
• Voter Turnout: A single election may increase participation among voters because it will be easy for citizens to cast their ballots in one go.
• Improved Governance: Governments would have less disruption resulting from frequent elections and are better placed to focus more on long-term policies without perpetual electoral distractions.
• Economic Stability: The more predictable nature of the political environment creates better conditions for investment and growth.

However, attainment of this ambitious reform poses logistical challenges that need great navigation and broad political consensus, and critics argue that without being inclusive in dialogue among many diverse political parties, implementation will be hard.

Political Benefits of One Nation One Election to the BJP

The concept of One Nation One Election for the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Union Government poses several political benefits that have the potential to change India's political structure. Promoting simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and state legislatures makes for strong, unified electoral and governance discourses for the BJP.

1. Concentration of Votes: The result might also be a concentration of votes because the electorate could coalesce to support a party in various tiers of governments. This may thus improve the BJP's strength not only at the national level but also at the state level. It will have more votes for Lok Sabha, so the performance at the assembly elections in states would be more than in previous times.
2. Minimizing Regional Parties' Influence: Frequent elections often give regional parties a platform to mobilize support based on local issues. By reducing the number of election cycles, the BJP can diminish the visibility and influence of these parties, particularly in states where they have traditionally held power. This could help the BJP expand its footprint in regions where it has struggled to gain traction.
3. Strategic Timing: The timing of elections can significantly impact voter turnout and party performance. By controlling when elections are held through a unified schedule, the BJP can strategically plan its campaign efforts to maximize voter engagement and turnout, especially in key battleground states.
4. Control over the Political Narrative: The BJP gains more effective control over the political narrative of one election cycle. It focuses on national issues in campaigning and avoids getting stuck in controversies at the state level that tend to dominate the state-level elections. This may well be seen as helping the BJP regain its credentials as a national development-oriented and unitary party.
5. Strengthening Governance Claims: The BJP can claim that simultaneous elections will bring in more stable governance since disruptions from constant electoral cycles are minimized. This narrative aligns with the larger message of promoting efficiency and accountability in government, which will resonate well with voters who place their bets on effective governance over political maneuvering.
6. Long-Term Political Strategy: Implementing One Nation One Election will fit with the long-term vision of the BJP in changing the political system of India into a more centralized one. The party pushes this initiative so that this sets a precedent for more reforms that concentrate power at the national level.

Summing up

As the discussions of these bills continue in Parliament, it is still important for all stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the implications of such a significant reform. The success of the One Nation One Election initiative depends not only on legislative approval but also on building unity and trust within India's democratic processes.

With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies

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