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 really good idea to have both elections at the same time. Lot of money can be saved which will improve our country's economics. The Government employees mainly the teachers will be saved from so many hassles of election process. Electors and general public can also reduce their botheration.
First We should make sure the upcoming election must be biometric...This will do away with bogus voters and mafia involvement for bogus voting...Now Govt have all the data in the form of Adhaar so it can be combined with election commission data. We should celebrate Election as Democratic Festival (one month) which will enable everyone to participate in this mega festival which should come every 5th year both for State Assemblies and Loksabha.
it is good to be held simultaneous elections for parliament and vidhan sabha but is it possible for EC to handle this type of election? if EC can then its a good idea.
No. Election of Lok Sabha and state Vidhan Sabha should not take place simultaneously. Both the election are held on different issue. If the election take place together the voter will get confused. It will be difficult for them to analyze the two issues critically. It must be taken into consideration that our voter are not highly educated. The voter may get influence by the local issue and vote against the party who can save the national interest in better way.
Yes we should have simultaneous elections of both assemblies. First lot of expenses can be saved which will ultimately improve the country economics. Govt Employees mainly the teachers will be saved from lot of burden of elections. Even the voters can do two types of voting in one go. However regional parties have to work hard for their existence as this method can make regional parties weaker. But in long run National parties and National agendas are good for all Indians.
Yes we should have simultaneous elections of both assemblies. First lot of expenses can be saved which will ultimately improve the country economics. Govt Employees mainly the teachers will be saved from lot of burden of elections. Even the voters can do two types of voting in one go. However regional parties have to work hard for their existence as this method can make regional parties weaker. But in long run National parties and National agendas are good for all Indians.
India needs to have minimum number of elections; simultaneous elections for all elected bodies. Members once elected would have a full five year term if disqualified/ dies, the seat be kept unoccupied for the remainder term. In addition we neeed to work out a mechanism to complete all elections in a max of one week's time. The Armed Forces should be incorporated to provide security where ever needed to augment the state and central police.
