Polity

Issues with Frequent elections

·        Lead to imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) over prolonged periods of time. This often ends in policy paralysis and governance deficit.

·        Results in Massive expenditures by Government and other stakeholders.

·        Engagement of security forces for significantly prolonged periods.

·        Affects stability and economic development as announcements are more for the vote bank than the development of nation.

·        Encourages free flow of black money as there is succinct gap between each election.

·        Disrupt normal public life as such holding of political rallies disrupts road traffic and also leads to noise pollution.

·        Perpetuate caste, religion and communal issues across the country.

·        Holding simultaneous elections to both Loksabha and State assemblies could help avoid these issues.

Feasibility in India

·        It requires -

·        Political consensus which is difficult to obtain. Constitutional amendments to allow for extending/curtailing the tenure of governments, a situation that is permissible only during emergency.

·        Maintaining the flow of simultaneous election in future is difficult; as there may be lack of confidence in governments’ causes topple of governments’ results in disrupting the flow.

·        Huge manpower to conduct elections at a massive scale that too for India like populous country, it is very difficult.

Disadvantages of Simultaneous Elections

·        It undercuts federalism.

·        Chances of changing voter’s behaviour as voter choosing the same party at the Centre and the State.

·        People are well adapted to the present system of elections and given the prevailing illiteracy, a new measure can create confusion among the masses.

Way Ahead

·        Union government has to debate the NITI Aayog’s recommendations’ on feasibility of holding simultaneous elections with all its stakeholders.

·        Study International models for feasibility in India.

·        e.g German model which has a constructive vote of no-confidence which is followed by a confidence vote. No-confidence motion without a confidence motion is not valid.

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