Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Simultaneous elections – a good idea' that was published in Newsband

Simultaneous elections – a good idea

The Law Commission of India recommends holding of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies, possibly in 2019. It suggests amending the Constitution to realize this objective.

The commission says simultaneous elections were held in the country during the first two decades after Independence up to 1967. Dissolution of certain Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha led to the “disruption of the conduct of simultaneous elections. Simultaneous elections may be restored in the nation by amending the Constitution, Representation of the People Act of 1951 and the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and Assemblies.

It recommends that in 2019, the election could be held in phases. In the first phase, it says, elections to the legislatures which are scheduled to go for polls synchronous with the Lok Sabha in 2019 could be held together. The rest of the States could go to elections in proximity with the Lok Sabha elections of 2024.

The panel says that in case of mid-term elections, the new Lok Sabha or Assembly would only serve the remainder of the term of the previous Lok Sabha/Assembly and not a fresh term of five years. It also says that the Prime Minister/Chief Minister should be “elected” to lead by the full House like the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Good move, but care must be taken in making the regulations at the time of hung assembly/parliament. The idea is good because some weight of election on Exchequer will be reduced. Conducting election simultaneously will also help party to promote their MP and MLA simultaneously; thus party could save funds. Secondly there should be a provision to be crafted that nomination should be restricted to one seat and also either for parliament or for legislation

It not only saves money but bring the deep nationality feeling among all citizen of India and the mind set of regionalism will be destroyed slowly. Simultaneous elections would reduce cost, increase effective governance time, formulate a stable government and increase productivity of states. On the other side voters should be wise enough to differentiate between local issue and central issue to choose appropriate government at State and central simultaneously. Amendment should also be made in Constitution to address the issue of mid term government collapse. Creative amendments will boost people's mandate. Each election heralds circulation of unaccounted money. It is a harbinger of devaluation of currency. This is the period communal feelings spread among the whole electorate. Simultaneous elections per decade is recommended in view of the cost and toll each election inflicts on the economy.

Simultaneous elections will be huge step forward for India. Governments will be more focused on working for people rather than fighting elections all the time.