Simultaneous Elections

Prelims

• CAA to be done ➡️ related to duration of LS
  • 83
  • 85
  • 172
  • 174
• Simultaneous elections in first 4 LS elections
  • 1952
  • 1957
  • 1962
  • 1967

Pros & Cons of Simultaneous Elections (Mains)

• Intro
  • HLC u/ Ram Nath Kovind
  • first 4 LS elections
  • idea mooted u/
    • ECI 1982
    • Law Comm. 1999
• Need?
  • cost ➡️ Rs. 4000 Cr in LS elections
  • governance
  • administrative convenience
  • social cohesion
  • ’permanent campaign mode’
• Cons
  • federal country
  • basic str.
  • national issues overshadowing regional issues
  • elections as effective feedback mechanism
• Various Recommendations
  • Draft Report of Law Commission - 2018
    • two cycles can be formed
    • alternate gov. formation ➡️ for remainder pd.
      • feasible realignments
    • bye-elections to be clubbed ➡️ once in a yr
• Other countries with fixed tenure legislation
  • South Africa
  • Sweden
  • Germany
• Way Ahead
  • lack of consensus among political parties
  • LS elections in first cycle
    • separate cycle for state elections after 2.5 yrs
  • alternate gov.
  • rational use of state emergency
  • major benefits can be reaped only when democratic & federal principles protected well