Q.Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to "one nation - one election" principle.

Body

graph TD
    ER["Electoral Reforms: Enhancing Democracy in India"]
    ER --> EVP["Enhancing Voter Participation"]
    ER --> CPC["Combating Political Corruption"]
    ER --> SEI["Strengthening Election Integrity"]
    ER --> CEE["Curbing Election Expenditure"]
    ER --> EIV["Ensuring Inclusive Voting"]

Need for Electoral Reforms:

• Enhancing Voter Participation: Boosting voter turnout and simplifying registration procedures are essential for a robust democracy.
  • Recommendation: The Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms proposed simplifying registration processes to encourage wider public participation.
• Combating Political Corruption: Breaking the link between criminal elements and politicians is vital to restore public trust and ensure representative accountability.
  • Insight: The Vohra Committee Report underscored the urgency of severing the politician-criminal nexus to clean up public life.
• Curbing Election Expenditure: Regulating campaign spending is necessary to ensure a level playing field and prevent money power from distorting democratic outcomes.
  • Recommendation: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2nd ARC) emphasized the need for strict regulation of election expenses to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
• Strengthening Election Integrity: Ensuring transparency in political funding is critical for democratic health.
  • Insight: Both the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Law Commission have advocated for transparency in political funding, particularly concerning electoral bonds.
• Ensuring Inclusive Voting: Ensuring marginalized sections have equal access to voting is fundamental to representative democracy.
  • Recommendation: The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) recommended measures to make voting more accessible to vulnerable groups.

"One Nation, One Election" Principle:

The ONOE model proposes holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies, as discussed in the Kovind Panel report.

Advantages of "One Nation, One Election":

• Reduced Election Expenditure: Synchronized voting once every five years would significantly lower the massive financial burden on the state exchequer and political parties.
• Better Governance and Stability: Frequent elections lead to the repeated imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), causing policy paralysis. Simultaneous polls would allow governments to focus on long-term governance rather than constant campaigning.
• Improved Voter Turnout: Consolidating elections can reduce voter fatigue, potentially increasing overall participation.
• Political and Economic Stability: The Kovind Panel noted that synchronized polls reduce political instability and allow both central and state administrations to prioritize governance.

Challenges of "One Nation, One Election":

• Constitutional Amendments: Implementing ONOE requires amending key constitutional provisions, including Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174, to align the terms of state assemblies and Parliament.
• Political Consensus: Building consensus among diverse political parties, especially regional ones who fear being overshadowed by national narratives, remains a major hurdle.
• Logistical and Administrative Hurdles: Conducting nationwide polls simultaneously demands massive logistical scaling, including procuring millions of EVMs/VVPATs and deploying vast security forces.
• Handling Mid-term Dissolutions: Managing situations where a state assembly or the Lok Sabha dissolves prematurely before completing its term poses a significant constitutional challenge.
• Focus on Regional Issues: There is a risk that national issues might dominate the discourse, sidelining crucial state-specific concerns.