The desirability of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas has been discussed at various levels. A considered view is that simultaneous elections will ...
The desirability of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas has been discussed at various levels. A considered view is that simultaneous elections will not only keep alive the enthusiasm of voters, but will also result in huge savings to the public exchequer as well as avoiding repetition of administrative effort. It is also expected to control the expenses of political parties. Simultaneous elections will also avoid repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct which affects administrative actions by the government.
President of India, His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee has also expressed his views on the desirability of holding simultaneous elections. Speaking at a recent function, The President said that “With some election or the other throughout the year, normal activities of the government come to a standstill because of code of conduct. This is an idea the political leadership should think of. If political parties collectively think, we can change it.... The Election Commission can also put in their idea and efforts on holding the polls together and that will be highly beneficial”
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has spoken several times on considering the feasibility of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. In two recent TV discussions, the Prime Minister reiterated this idea and invited a national debate on the issue.
Debate on the Issue - A Brief History
In India, simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha (House of The People) and Vidhan Sabhas (State Legislative Assemblies) were organized in the years 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. Thereafter, however, the schedule could not be maintained and the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas have still not been realigned.
The next General Election to the Lok Sabha is scheduled for 2019. Elections for the Vidhan Sabhas of 5 States are scheduled for 2017, for 13 States in 2018, for 9 States in 2019, for 1 State 2020 and the remaining are scheduled for 2021.
The issue of simultaneous elections was debated by the Law Commission in its 107thReport in 1999 (Reform of Electoral Laws) , where in it was mentioned that – “The rule ought to be one election once in five years for Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies” ( Para 7.2.1.1 of the Report). Recently, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 79th Report on ‘Feasibility of holding Simultaneous Elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies’ on 17th December 2015.
Several structural changes will need to be done in case a decision is made to conduct simultaneous election, including possibility of Constitutional amendments to Articles 83, 172, 85 and 174 to streamline the process.
Seventy Ninth Report Parliamentary Standing Committee for PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES, LAW AND JUSTICEMyGov Discussion
MyGov invites citizens, Parliamentarians, Members of Legislative assemblies and councils, constitutional experts, academics experts, bureaucrats, social media influencers, Think Tanks and all other interested people to give their considered view on the subject. The issues that can be considered while formulating a view are (only an indicative list and not exhaustive):
1. Is it desirable to hold simultaneous elections? What are the pros and cons?
2. If simultaneous elections are held, then for the first time what happens to assemblies whose scheduled tenure either ends before or after the proposed date of holding elections?
3. Should the term of Lok Sabha and assemblies be fixed?
4. What would happen in case by-elections are necessitated in between terms?
5. What happens in case the ruling party or coalition loses majority in between term, either in Lok Sabha or in State assemblies?
You may submit your opinion by either writing in the comment box below, or by attaching a PDF document, or through a Youtube video.
The last for submitting your opinion is 15th October, 2016.
Yes election should be simultaneous. So that leadership in the center and in the states are out of election mode and really work for the public instead of their ever changing stance on important issue because of coming up elections. The elections should be done under a caretaker government, led by a non political personality chosen by head of government, leader of opposition, Chief justice and election commission. so that none of the political party is at advantage/ disadvantage.
1. yes Specially one can concentrate on developing a nation rather than to think abt another state election wasting a time which was given to them to serve nation and not to do political rallies for state election
2. good for developing policies as most of them are get influenced by continuous election process of one state of other
3. all the leaders will get dedicated time line to fulfill promises with out any excuse
Yes. Holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas will reduce burden on Govt exchequer and funds for development purpose would be spared. It will also ensure better understanding between state Govts and central Govt.
4. By-elections has to be conducted as and where become necessary if the remaining period for the next elections is more than 6 months.
5. The above will also hold true in case the ruling party or coalition loses majority in between term, either in Lok Sabha or in State assemblies.
It's a wonderful idea of holding simultaneous election. But sometime, when any assembly dissolves in between before completing its term of five years due to any circumstances or political disorder by imposing presidential rule. In that case it's need to be thing it up to bring a durable or permanent solution in view of constitutional law. Then it can be possible to maintain parallel terms or every five year simultaneous elections for both centre and states.
which party participating in Parliament election . it must be participate in all 534 seats.
if you change the rules like that means.single party get the majority and it also useful for country.
Yes i am in favour of Simulataneous Loka sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. This would be good in terms of administration and policy making. If Govt is really serious about it they should come out with the plan for same and try and implement it by next General Elections. Well it is going to be a very difficlut task but under the Leadership Of Hon PM, it can be achieved.
This will also help in Govt in concentrating for developement for alteast 4.5 yrs and last 6 months can be dedicated for cmpngs
as a citizen,i welcome this idea mooted by our honorable president and prime minister, but we also need to think of the constraints involved,some are, creating awareness among the people, need of man power,technological support, the newly elected governments in states, naxal affected areas, pressure on the election commission etc. govt have to sort out all these issues, and should be accountable to the tax payer before they proceed.
