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HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE (HLC) ON ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE (HLC) ON ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

04-04-2024
  1. In March, 2024 The 6-member High-level Committee (HLC) on Simultaneous Elections, headed by Ram Nath Kovind (former President of India), submitted its Report (comprising 18,626 pages) to President Droupadi Murmu.
  • This panel was set up in September 2023 by Union Government to check feasibility of simultaneous elections.
  • Its objective is to improve governance, reduce election expenditure and reduce disruptions caused by frequent elections.
  1. HLC has suggested a 2-step process to synchronize election cycles of the 3 tiers of government.

Step 1: Synchronizing Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections

 

Step 2: Integrating Local Body Polls

 
  1. Aligning the election schedule of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
  1. Will integrate elections to local bodies, including municipalities and panchayats
  1. This will be achieved through a "one-time temporary measure", where a "fixed date" is identified by the central government immediately after the Lok Sabha elections.
  1. Conducting these local bodies elections within 100 days of the integrated Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
  1. Any state assemblies that are supposed to end after that date will end on the same day as the Lok Sabha.

 
  1. The panel suggested a new constitutional provision, Article 324A, which would authorize Parliament to make laws to ensure simultaneous municipal and panchayat elections with general elections.

 
  1. Basically, some state legislatures might have to end early this one time so that all the elections happen at the same time.

 
  1. Committee also advised amending Article 325 of the Constitution to allow the Election Commission of India, in consultation with State Election Commissions, to prepare a common electoral roll and issue a single Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) for all elections.

 

Other Major Recommendations

  1. Amend the Constitution to enable a common voter list and a single voter ID card for all elections.
  2. Introduce new constitutional provisions (Article 324A) to empower Parliament to ensure simultaneous local body elections.
  3. In case of mid-term elections, hold fresh elections only for the remaining term to maintain synchronicity.

What are the Benefits of Simultaneous election

  1. Resource will be saved as they will be used only once in 5 years.
  2. Administration staff will have to come for election duty only once in 5 years so they will better focus on their work.
  3. Model Code of Conduct will be imposed only once in 5 years so there will be continuity of policies.
  4. Voter turnout may increase as election will happen only once in 5 years.
  5. Similar type of party will win at all 3 tiers so there will be smooth relation between Centre-State-local bodies.

Challenges in Simultaneous Election

  1. For Synchronizing elections, Constitutional Amendments will have to be done.
  2. Simultaneous Elections may not be liked by some states which have different agenda from Centre.
  3. Simultaneous Elections may ignore regional issues and small regional parties.
  • So, Simultaneous Election will require changes in those state laws.
  1. More infrastructure will be required, like more EVMs (electronic voting machines) and more VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail Machines) would be required.
  2. Ensuring the availability of VVPATs everywhere poses a logistical challenge
  3. The need for more armed forces and personnel at the same time will pose a challenge.
  4. More number staff will be required.

Law commission report on Simultaneous Election, 2018

Problem in Election

Solution proposed by Law Commission
  1. Election Cycle is long (5 years).
  1. Election cycle can be reduced (holding elections twice in five years).
  1. Every year some or other elections keep happening.
  1. If Simultaneous Elections are not feasible at least all elections can be conducted in 1 calendar year.
  1. Sometimes afterNo-Confidence Motion, no party is able to prove majority. It leads to further election.
  1. There should be Constructive Vote of No-Confidence Motion. In this, ruling party can be ousted only if other party is able to form the government. Now no need for fresh election.
  1. If no party secures majority and is not able to form government, again election may be required.
  1. Opportunity should be given to largest or alliance to prove majority. This way election can be avoided.
  1. In Anti-defection law, presiding officer takes huge time to decide disqualification as there is no time limit for him to decide.
  1. Presiding officer should decide disqualification within 6 months.

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