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.
IF THE GOVT AT CENTRE OR THE STATE FALLS DUE TO ANY REASON OTHER THAN NO CONFIDENCE ALL PARTY PROVISIONAL GOVT SHOULD BE FORMED WITH PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION UNDER THE LARGEST PARTY LEADER SHOULD BE FORMED FOR THE BALANCE PERIOD
Simultaneous elections(All elections including Lok Shaba, Assembly and Local councils) will be good initiative.
Benefits:
1. Will Save Cost
2. Will save Time
3. Avoidance of model code of conduct which will not halt development work for next 5 years.
Govt will have enough time and no constraint.
But there is possibility that regional issues may get overshadowed by national issue.
Politicians may not pay any attention to local issue for next 5 years as there won't be any election.
NO.
because if lets say party x wins with majority votes, then they can do whatever they want for next 4 years. like say if minorities are protesting for some reason and if the party x is anti minority, they can oppress minority to the point where it is considered unethical. And if elections are not held simultaneously, for the sake of votes party x will think twice before taking any unethical actions against small group of people. so I strongly oppose this Idea.
Good for the nation, Govt. and public. BUT THE QUESTION IS WHAT WHEN THE GOVT FALLS BEFORE TERM ENDS. MY SUGGESTION IS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OR THE RULES STATING THAT ANY NO CONFIDENCE MOTION MOVED SHOULD BE COMPULSORILY GIVE THE NAME OF THE PERSON UNDER WHOM THE NEW GOVT WILL BE FORMED AND WHO WILL BE CM OR PM AS THE CASE MAY BE.THE TERM OF THE NEW GOVT SHOULD BE THE BALANCE PERIOD OF THE EARLIER GOVT. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY HORSE TRADING
Yes,it will be big contribution for development of the nation.
My suggestions is to hold Panchayat and city coperation election along state and national election,i t will help in knowing ground reality problems of the people's and it will further channelized development,as code of conduct stop the necessary work also
It could be a very smart move if all elections are held together once in five years. It will save huge money to the government which can then be spent on the people's welfare. Economy would also be benefited by this move as there will be less public holidays.
Yes this will
1. Same campaigning by contesting parties will work
2. No extra expenditure
3. Citizens will also not go twice to polling booth.
4. Clear and transparent Governance.
5. Government staff doing election work will be relieved of their responsibilities.
6. Expenditure on training and conveyance will be saved.
