PM Modi’s pitch for “one nation, one election” has been the need of the nation for decades. Elections take place regularly and periodically – whether it is parliamentary elections, assembly elections, bye-elections, panchayat elections and local body/corporation elections.
Each state government is in a frenzy of some elections or the other and several developmental decisions, imperative for economic growth and development, are either delayed, disrupted, jeopardised or sacrificed as they are not “conducive” due to various political reasons or shifting convenience.
The entire span of a state government is spent on political strategy rather than much development for the common man. And, in the bargain, crores of rupees are spent- a humongous amount, which should, otherwise, have been spent on development and welfare activities for the poor. Instead, simultaneous elections would lighten the burden on the government exchequer.
Public funds will be better utilized for policy implementation and development rather than political maneuvering and campaigns. Frequent elections lead to several development and welfare programmes being suspended or in suspended animation as, after the declaration of elections, the model code of conduct comes into play and several projects get postponed or interrupted.
As a result, effective and regular governance is largely adversely impacted.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice noted, “Frequent elections lead to disruption of normal public life and impact the functioning of essential services. Holding political rallies disrupts road traffic and leads to noise pollution. If simultaneous elections are held, this period of disruption would be limited to a certain pre-determined period of time”.
Hence, a one time election, will ensure continuity and regular progress in policies and welfare programmes in the central and state governments, Moreover, if elections are conducted frequently, throughout the year, there will be a great possibility of a parallel economy stemming up. A one time election will stymie this effort.
Frequent elections lead the government to keep announcing policy decisions to woo the electorate, which extends to being one up on the other. This burdens the exchequer. With simultaneous elections, this tendency shall be controlled. A simultaneous election will save a great number of man days and expenditure in updating electoral rolls.
Preparation and campaigning, during elections, does lead to cases of vandalism by lumpin elements, resulting in law and order disruptions, throughout the year, every year. A one time election will check this recurring malaise.
Frequent elections cause regular breakdowns in the educational life of school and college students as, firstly, their studies get affected. Secondly, schools and colleges are used as polling booths and premises and teachers are assigned election duty. A one time election will erase the inconveniences caused to students and teachers alike, for five years.
Conduct of elections throughout the year is a mammoth, complex and time consuming activity, requiring harnessing the energy and resources of the entire government machinery. Government officials, of all departments, on poll duty, will not have any time to work for the public. A one time election will save the monstrous effort.
For every election, central armed police forces and state police forces are withdrawn and detailed. Withdrawing the BSF, ITBP, and SSB from the border, makes the border porous and prone to illegal infiltration by terrorists and smugglers. Withdrawing the CRPF dilutes the internal security scenario and withdrawing the CISF makes security at the airports and industrial establishments, including vital installations, vulnerable.
Frequent withdrawal is not conducive to national security. This situation shall be avoided by a one time election when these forces will be used only once in five years – though in phases. Simultaneous polls, like the one recommended, are held in Sweden- the election to Sweden’s county and municipal councils occur simultaneously with the general elections (to Riksdag), every four years.
Similarly, in South Africa, elections for the national and provincial assemblies are held simultaneously in a five year cycle. Such is the case, too, with Belgium.
It is, therefore, time when we gave serious thought and began implementation of Prime Minister’s well through of “one nation, one election” method, in letter and spirit.
The writer is a former Chairman, Haryana Public Service Commission. His views are personal.