BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
The concept of “One Nation, One Election” has sparked significant debate across India’s political and public spheres. Akhilesh Yadav, Chief of the Samajwadi Party, has raised concerns about its practicality and fairness. While the idea aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies to streamline the electoral process, several inconsistencies within the political system must be addressed if this proposal is to be implemented.
One of the primary questions surrounding this concept is whether all elections—from village panchayats to municipal bodies—would be held simultaneously. Exceptions may arise due to factors such as festivals, weather, or political convenience. This raises concerns about potential manipulation of election timing to suit the ruling party’s interests. Akhilesh Yadav and other critics worry that governments could strategically time elections to maximize their chances of winning, thus undermining the fairness of the electoral process.
Furthermore, the issue of state governments being toppled midway through their term presents a dilemma. If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or any ruling party were to destabilize a state government, would that trigger elections across the entire country? Another question arises in cases where President’s rule is imposed: should citizens of that state wait until the next general election for their government to be reinstated, or should there be a provision for separate state elections? These scenarios highlight potential complications in enforcing a uniform election schedule.
A major challenge in implementing “One Nation, One Election” is the need for constitutional amendments. Skepticism surrounds the timeline for these changes, with many concerned that the proposal could follow the same path as the women’s reservation bill, which has seen significant delays despite being a long-standing commitment. The government must clarify the timeframe and legal reforms required to bring this concept to fruition.
Another issue raised by critics is the possible privatization of the election process. The government could argue that it lacks the manpower and resources to conduct nationwide elections simultaneously, opening the door for election management to be outsourced to private organizations. This could compromise the integrity of the process, leading to fears of biased or unfair election practices.
Finally, many have suggested that the BJP test this concept within its own internal structure, holding synchronized elections at the district, state, and national levels before implementing it nationwide. Additionally, questions linger as to why the BJP has yet to hold an election for its own national president, fueling speculation about internal party divisions.
The debate surrounding “One Nation, One Election” continues, with key concerns yet to be addressed. The government will need to clarify these issues before moving forward with such a sweeping reform.