Context:

• A High­Level Committee (HLC) headed by Ramnath Kovind, former President of India, was constituted in September 2023 to examine the issue of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and local bodies of all States.

Background: 

• India initially held simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 1952-1967.
• Premature dissolutions of both Lok Sabha and state assemblies led to staggered elections, with only occasional overlaps like the 2019 polls involving four states.
• The Election Commission and Law Commission have repeatedly advocated for simultaneous elections to streamline the process and ensure better governance.

The Case for Consolidation:

• Saving of Public money: Simultaneous elections promise significant financial savings for both the government and political parties.
• Governance Focus: By reducing election cycles, governments can dedicate more time and resources to policymaking and implementation. The Model Code of Conduct that is enforced during the election process ranges usually from 45-­60 days where no new schemes or projects can be announced by the Centre and concerned State governments
• Administrative Efficiency: Holding all elections at once streamlines resource allocation and deployment for the election machinery. Also, Paramilitary forces are withdrawn from the locations in which they are posted and deployed to the concerned State for the smooth conduct of elections.
• Social Cohesion: Frequent high-stakes elections can exacerbate social divisions. Proponents believe simultaneous polls would mitigate this by focusing on national issues rather than regional or religious differences.

The Counter arguments:

• Regional Concerns Drowned Out: Various States have their own unique set of issues that are significantly different from one another. The Union and State governments have their respective powers and responsibilities towards the electorate as per the division of powers under the Constitution. Simultaneous elections could lead to national issues overshadowing regional and state-specific concerns, potentially weakening federalism.
• National Parties’ Gain, Regional Parties Lose: National parties with broader reach and resources might benefit disproportionately, disadvantaged regional parties with strong local support.
• Accountability Concerns: Elections also serve as an effective feedback mechanism for governments in power. Longer intervals between elections could reduce voter accountability and responsiveness of elected officials.
• Constitutional Hurdles: Implementing simultaneous elections requires amendments to the Constitution to address fixed terms and premature dissolutions.

Solutions:

The reports of the Law Commission (1999), and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (2015), have dealt with the issue of simultaneous elections. The Law Commission had also submitted a draft report in 2018.

• A Phased Approach: One proposed solution is to hold Lok Sabha elections in one cycle and state assembly elections in another, spaced 2.5 years apart. This necessitates amending the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act.
• Stability Measures: Any ‘no confidence motion’ in the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly should be mandatorily accompanied by a ‘confidence motion’ for the formation of an alternate government. If for any unavoidable reason, the Lok Sabha or State Assembly is to be dissolved prematurely, the duration of the newly constituted House should be only for the remainder period of the original House.
• Limited Extensions: Curtailing or extending existing assembly terms to align with the new schedule might be necessary, requiring further amendments.
• Consolidated By-Elections: Clubbing by-elections together annually could further streamline the electoral process.

Achieving the benefits of simultaneous elections without compromising democratic and federal principles hinges on political consensus and a willingness to make necessary constitutional amendments.  Finding a middle ground, such as the proposed phased approach with additional measures for stability and efficiency, could offer a viable solution.