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.
Integrate all the elections to the level of Panchayatiraj bodies. Let the directly elected Panchayatiraj body members elect the sarpanch, MLA, MP, Vice President, President. All the elective bodies may be uniformly for three or five years tenure.
This is obviously a fruitful idea to hold both elections simultaneously which not only save the revenue of the country but also involvement of voters will be increased to choose an honest leader.
Integrate all the elections to the panchayat stage. Only panchayat members be elected by direct election. Sarpanch, MLA, MP. President and Vice President be elected by the elected members of the Panchayatiraj bodies. All the legislative bodies may have uniform tenures. Thus huge waste of national resources for elections, could be saved and utilised for the country's welfare.
Radha Krishna Murthy Mukkamala9 years 11 months ago
It is most desirable to hold elections to Parliament and State Assemblies. Huge expenditure and time will be saved. But due to certain present Un-certainities it is not practicably possible. Even if held, there is no guaranty that mid-term polls will not be necessitated. Hence, they may be held simultaneously when ever possible to avoid huge public financial loss.
This is very great idea.
1) It will save so much money in our country, money of ED, Money spent by parties in all elections constantly.
2) This will increasing the liquidity in country as such saved money would be invested into country for various other purposes.
3) Whenever there are elections public schools and other govt officers are placed on duty wasting their time.
4) But most importantly this will let parties work on their areas rather than wasting time on other elections.
If I remember correctly,earlier about 50/60 years earlier when I was a school-going lad the elections did take place simultaneously in Maharashtra.I am not aware about other states.But then due to various circumstances things changed.This earlier way of simultaneous elections should be restored.This will not only save valuable productive time
but also national property which can be effectively available to the elected govt.for fulfilling their vision of Progress of the country.
Point no. 2
One time alignment i.e. ending the tenure at short or extending for some time is required with president's assent. All parties should agree for the same.
Point no. 3
Term of lok sabha and assemblies be fiexed at 5 years.
Point no. 4
By election seat term should be aligned to main election next due i.e. their duration will be less than 5 years.
Point no. 5
Same as point no. 4. Those reelected govt should have shorter tenure.
Point no. 1
I am of view that simultaneous election should take place.
Pros : a) Savings in cost and resources. b) Political parties focus on actual work for the nation for entire tenure of next five year. c) Focus on actual deliverance is increased.
Cons : a) Managing the same together is resource issue. There is no real cons or negative side of this move.
