High Level committee report on Simultaneous Elections

Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Federalism
– Election expenditure
– Free and Fair elections
–  Electoral Reforms

Context
The High-Level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election has submitted its comprehensive report to President Droupadi Murmu, addressing key aspects of simultaneous elections in India.

Source
The Indian Express | Editorial dated 15^th March 2024

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High Level committee report on Simultaneous Elections

The issue of simultaneous elections in India has been a topic of debate and discussion for several years, with proponents arguing for its potential benefits in enhancing governance efficiency and reducing election-related disruptions. In this context, the High-Level Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has put forward recommendations for the implementation of simultaneous elections.

Merits and Demerits of Simultaneous Elections .

Composition

The HLC, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, comprised eminent members including Home Minister Amit Shah, former opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N K Singh and other distinguished personalities.

Process

• Over a span of several months, the committee held 65 meetings, engaging with stakeholders and reviewing pertinent reports and studies to inform their recommendations.
• Apex business organizations like the CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and eminent economists were also consulted to present their views on the economic repercussions of asynchronous elections.
  • They advocated the economic imperative of simultaneous elections on account of the effect of asynchronous elections on fuelling inflation and slowing down the economy.

Recommendations

• Amending the Constitution: The Constitution should be amended to enable simultaneous elections in two steps.
  • In the first step, simultaneous elections will be held to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
    • For this, no ratification by the states will be required for the constitutional amendment.
• In the second step, elections to municipalities and the panchayats will be synchronised with elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in such a way that local body elections are held within 100 days of the elections to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
  • This will require ratification by not less than one-half of the states.

• Single Electoral Roll and Election ID: The committee recommends establishing a single electoral roll for all tiers of government.
  • Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) will be utilized for elections at all levels, providing a standardized identification method.
  • The Constitution should be amended, so that the Election Commission of India can prepare a single electoral roll and election ID in consultation with the State Election Commissions.
    • These amendments will require ratification by not less than one-half of the states.

• Incase of Hung House: In the event of a hung House, a no-confidence motion, or any such event, fresh elections should be held to constitute the new Lok Sabha or state Assembly for the unexpired term of the House.

• Meeting logistical requirement: The committee underscores the importance of logistical planning by the Election Commission of India, in collaboration with State Election Commissions, to ensure the smooth conduct of simultaneous elections.
  • Adequate deployment of manpower, polling personnel, security forces, and electoral equipment like EVMs/VVPATs is deemed essential for the integrity and fairness of elections across all tiers of government.

Critical appraisal of Kovind committee Report

• Dubious Economic Claims:
  • The High-Level Committee Report suggests that implementing “one nation one election” (ONOE) will magically boost India’s GDP by 1.5%.
  • This claim is based on a research paper by economists N K Singh and Prachi Mishra, which lacks publication in reputable scholarly journals.
• Flawed Methodology:
  • The research paper analyzes GDP growth rates before and after elections in six states using a difference-in-difference method.
  • The methodology is criticized for its simplicity and lack of robustness, akin to measuring child growth based on parental involvement.
• Overreaching Conclusions:
  • The same research paper suggests that simultaneous elections lower inflation, improve educational outcomes, reduce crimes, and enhance quality government expenditure.
  • These claims are considered to lack sufficient evidence or scholarly backing.
• Unrealistic Proposition:
  • The idea of ONOE is deemed politically unfeasible, administratively unworkable, and constitutionally unviable.
  • It is criticized for being based on flimsy grounds of cost savings and governance efficiency, with its feasibility questioned by experts.
• Ideological Divide:
  • ONOE represents a clash between the ruling party’s vision of a uniform nation and the idea of India as a union of diverse states.

Conclusion

The recommendations put forward by the Kovind committee represent a significant step towards addressing the issue of simultaneous elections in India. By proposing a two-step approach and advocating for administrative simplification through a unified electoral roll and EPIC, the committee aims to streamline the electoral process and enhance governance efficiency. However, the implementation of these recommendations would require careful planning and coordination between various stakeholders.

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Related Topics

The Three-tier system of Government

The three-tier system of government in India encompasses the Central Government, State Government, and Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities.

• Central Government:
  • Responsible for governing the entire country and handling matters of national importance.
  • Exercises authority over foreign affairs and national policies.
• State Government:
  • Manages affairs and issues within a specific state or union territory.
  • Operates within its jurisdiction and implements state-level policies and programs.
• Panchayati Raj and Municipalities:
  • Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) function at the village, intermediate (block), and district levels, primarily in rural areas.
  • Municipalities operate at the town or district level, focusing on urban governance.

Historical Background

• The need for a three-tier government system emerged during the colonial era, culminating in the Government of India Act 1935, which introduced provincial and federal divisions.
• Various committees, including the Balwant Rai Mehta committee, emphasized democratic decentralization and proposed a framework for the three-tier system.
• The constitutionalization of Panchayati Raj was further highlighted by committees such as GVK Rao and LM Singhvi.

Constitutional Provisions and Amendments

• Articles 245 and 246 of the Indian Constitution delineate the legislative powers of Parliament and State legislatures.
• The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 introduced the Eleventh Schedule, establishing Gram Panchayats.
• Similarly, the 74th Amendment Act of 1992 introduced the Twelfth Schedule, focusing on urban local bodies and Municipalities, empowering State Legislatures to establish and govern local bodies.

Overall, the three-tier system of government in India reflects a comprehensive framework aimed at decentralized governance and effective administration at various levels of society.

References

Indian Express–one-nation-one-election economic claims Kovind panel

PIB

One nation One Election Report

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Practice Question

Give your opinion on simultaneous elections in India. How can it be effectively implemented to ensure free and fair elections? [250 words]

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How to approach this question?

Introduction:

1. Define Simultaneous Elections: Simultaneous elections refer to holding elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies simultaneously, once every five years.
2. Mention the Current Scenario: Currently, elections in India are held at different times due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha or State Assemblies at different times.

Body:

1. Pros of Simultaneous Elections:
   • Discuss the advantages such as cost-effectiveness, administrative ease, and reduced policy paralysis.
2. Cons of Simultaneous Elections:
   • Discuss the challenges such as undermining federalism, possibility of influencing voter behavior, and logistical issues.
3. Implementation Strategies:
   • Discuss potential strategies for implementation, such as constitutional amendments, building consensus among political parties, and strengthening the Election Commission of India.

Conclusion:

1. Summarize the Discussion: Recap the main points discussed in the body.
2. Provide a Balanced View: While simultaneous elections could bring certain benefits, it’s important to address the associated challenges to ensure free and fair elections.
3. Call to Action: Suggest further research or measures needed for effective implementation of simultaneous elections.

Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!

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