The desirability of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas has been discussed at various levels. A considered view is that simultaneous elections will ...
The desirability of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas has been discussed at various levels. A considered view is that simultaneous elections will not only keep alive the enthusiasm of voters, but will also result in huge savings to the public exchequer as well as avoiding repetition of administrative effort. It is also expected to control the expenses of political parties. Simultaneous elections will also avoid repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct which affects administrative actions by the government.
President of India, His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee has also expressed his views on the desirability of holding simultaneous elections. Speaking at a recent function, The President said that “With some election or the other throughout the year, normal activities of the government come to a standstill because of code of conduct. This is an idea the political leadership should think of. If political parties collectively think, we can change it.... The Election Commission can also put in their idea and efforts on holding the polls together and that will be highly beneficial”
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has spoken several times on considering the feasibility of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. In two recent TV discussions, the Prime Minister reiterated this idea and invited a national debate on the issue.
Debate on the Issue - A Brief History
In India, simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha (House of The People) and Vidhan Sabhas (State Legislative Assemblies) were organized in the years 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. Thereafter, however, the schedule could not be maintained and the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas have still not been realigned.
The next General Election to the Lok Sabha is scheduled for 2019. Elections for the Vidhan Sabhas of 5 States are scheduled for 2017, for 13 States in 2018, for 9 States in 2019, for 1 State 2020 and the remaining are scheduled for 2021.
The issue of simultaneous elections was debated by the Law Commission in its 107thReport in 1999 (Reform of Electoral Laws) , where in it was mentioned that – “The rule ought to be one election once in five years for Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies” ( Para 7.2.1.1 of the Report). Recently, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 79th Report on ‘Feasibility of holding Simultaneous Elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies’ on 17th December 2015.
Several structural changes will need to be done in case a decision is made to conduct simultaneous election, including possibility of Constitutional amendments to Articles 83, 172, 85 and 174 to streamline the process.
Seventy Ninth Report Parliamentary Standing Committee for PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES, LAW AND JUSTICEMyGov Discussion
MyGov invites citizens, Parliamentarians, Members of Legislative assemblies and councils, constitutional experts, academics experts, bureaucrats, social media influencers, Think Tanks and all other interested people to give their considered view on the subject. The issues that can be considered while formulating a view are (only an indicative list and not exhaustive):
1. Is it desirable to hold simultaneous elections? What are the pros and cons?
2. If simultaneous elections are held, then for the first time what happens to assemblies whose scheduled tenure either ends before or after the proposed date of holding elections?
3. Should the term of Lok Sabha and assemblies be fixed?
4. What would happen in case by-elections are necessitated in between terms?
5. What happens in case the ruling party or coalition loses majority in between term, either in Lok Sabha or in State assemblies?
You may submit your opinion by either writing in the comment box below, or by attaching a PDF document, or through a Youtube video.
The last for submitting your opinion is 15th October, 2016.
This is an excellent proposition. It saves lot of time, manpower & money.Administrative staff can be made accountzable for performance as they are relieved of these functions for 4 and half years. If voting is allso made on line with AADHAR identity number or Bank account number participation can be more. Option from the voters can be obtained for e voting and can be extended it to them.
In principle yes.Elections must be hold simultaneously.But in practice it will be very difficulty because constitutionally all elected governments have obligation to serve for 5 years if they enjoy the majority. It is their right also. In case of implementing the formula of holding simultaneous elections, term of either some state governments would be required to be reduced or stretched beyond 5 years which will require the constitutional amendment+ consent from majority states which is unlikely
Simultaneous elections to both Parliament & Assembly is more appropriate in more than one angle. All the Assembly elections, irrespective of their previous elections, duration already expired, are to be held along with the Parliament elections.
Simultaneous elections are not good because it wouldn't give opportunity to government, run by political parties, which in turn depend on elections to know if its policies and decisions are being accepted positively by electorate. Elections are the only form of dissent available with people.
Elections should be staggered but in a fixed manner. Elections every year for, let's say, 7 states in October/November. And then every fifth year, Lok Sabha elections should be held.
#SimultaneousElections if there is a situation where govt has lost its majority(if after 3 years) then two things may be done
1- either the new govt should given the rest period left (2 years)
2- or the new govt should given the rest period left + 5 years (7 years). in my view the second one is better.
We as a nation waste too much of resources on the election process, which can be more efficiently used for better productive purposes.
It is absolutely essential that all the central and state level elections be held simultaneously. This will help all the stakeholders.
Simult elec are required as it will save many resources e.g. Money,Time,Manpower required during elections and vote counting,Better control over process.
It will also enable voters to give same treatment/mandate for both elections.
In fact , why not merge both the houses and have one unique house enabling the government to have better and complete control for governing.This will also prevent the opposition parties to twist process or bills as per their will.
