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| Unified Polls | | | The Union Cabinet has set the ball rolling to overhaul India’s electoral system by approving the long-discussed ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills for introduction in the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament.
This move, aimed at synchronizing elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, marks a significant moment in the history of Indian democracy. With these bills, the government seeks to usher in a new era of electoral efficiency, fiscal prudence, and policy continuity.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ has been a long-standing agenda of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Prime Minister Modi championing it as a means to eliminate the frequent disruption of governance caused by the country’s nearly perpetual election cycle.
The proposal is based on the rationale that unified elections will reduce financial and administrative burdens, minimize the politicization of development programs, and allow governments to focus more on governance rather than constant electioneering.
India’s fragmented electoral calendar often results in elections taking place almost every year in some part of the country. This creates a cycle where political parties and governments are perennially in campaign mode, diverting resources and attention from long-term development goals. A unified electoral calendar has the potential to streamline this process, saving thousands of crores spent on repeated elections and sparing administrative machinery from the logistical challenges of conducting polls multiple times a year.
Moreover, ‘One Nation, One Election’ could enhance political stability. Unified elections would ensure that governments at the Centre and in the states are elected simultaneously, providing a coherent mandate for policy implementation. This could result in stronger synergies between different tiers of government and foster collaborative governance.
However, the road to implementing ‘One Nation, One Election’ is fraught with challenges.
Amending the Constitution to synchronize elections is a Herculean task. The logistics of aligning terms of various state assemblies and the Lok Sabha are equally complex.
States with terms ending mid-cycle may need to either curtail or extend their tenure to align with the unified election calendar, a move that could spark political and legal challenges.
As the bills make their way to Parliament, they will undoubtedly spark robust debates. The Modi government’s push for ‘One Nation, One Election’ reflects its vision of enhancing efficiency and reducing redundancies in governance. If executed judiciously, this reform could reshape the contours of India’s democracy, bringing greater coherence to the electoral process while respecting the country’s federal ethos.
The success of ‘One Nation, One Election’ hinges on building consensus and addressing legitimate concerns from all quarters. While the road ahead may be challenging, the initiative has the potential to usher in a new era of electoral and administrative efficiency, reaffirming India’s commitment to its democratic ideals. |
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