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.
yes , it is very good idea & it should be last for full term ( 5 years ) irrespective of any political condition , & if winner candidate lost his life in mid term the runner up should be appointed as successor
I agree 1000 percent for simultaneous election and that too for 7 years of period instead of 5 years. A person jailed for a hour or a day even and of a doubtful character or integrity should not be allowed to contest at all.There is also a need of minimum educational qualification because education level at the time of making such law or rules was very low thereby not making provisions of minimum education at the material time.
#SimultaneousElections preferred. If some State Government loses majority President rule if remaining period less than one year or all party coalition as per strength in Assembly till elections due.Local bodies, Administrator appointed by State Govt for remaining period. Centre all party rule till election due.
Absolutely it should be done by govt coz it save money ,man power,time and many more and it will give results both at a time so it will be conducted at the simultaneously
Honorable Government all elections be held simultaneously....it justifies the doctrine of minimum government maximum governance.So minimum time be spent on choosing the former maximum time be spent in assisting the latter.
It's a great initiative by Gov.by allowing common people to participate in the discussion.
As "One Country One Tax"(GST) is going to be implemented from the next year & now it's high time that India should adopt "One Country One Election" theory.
It will not only save time but also save revenue. It'll also encourage different political parties to focus on development for four years & they'll still have time to do politics for remaining one year.
Yes the symintenously election for state and center at a time is good decision.it save financial effect loss of country and also save all type of Terror attacks
It has good and bad sides. It has the same problems. Maybe it can save some money. But initially there will be severe chaos. But gradually it may turn out to be better.
Simultaneous election of Assembly & Parliament will be a great reform in respect of saving our money, time saving, and this time saving will be a very turning point to boost productivity of the nation. Corruption will also be very lesser. Since, I am accounting profession, hence it will be best if we give the 5 year term from start like a financial year to measure performance of any government. Thank you PM Sir.
