What will we get? - It is needed. What is the problem?
It will not work - One election one list should be there. Our country has lot of problems - Unemployment, inflation, poor education and health care. We have many holes in the road, in the media, in the government.
And these people are trying to push us into the hole of hatred In the name of justice, we will get date after date after date. And if you ask about good days, you will be insulted by being called anti-national. Only once there comes a chance when the rulers give you a visit A few months before elections, new schemes are launched.
Suddenly, politicians remember that government jobs are important. what is going to office, what is meeting people. and that petrol and diesel prices can be reduced PM, MP, MLA, Municipal Corporator or sarpanch, they are not scared of media, opposition or court They are afraid of one thing.
Your vote and mine. These elections that happen again and again, that is the time when government thinks about us . .
. forgets about its pockets and thinks about the state of our pockets. But, if it works as per Narendra Modi, then your vote and election power will be much less.
And that too, within 2024. Because, after the Notebandi masterstroke, BJP wants to bring One Nation One Election. Will it really lead our country on the path of progress, as BJP is saying?
Or, will it do the same to democracy as demonetization did to economy? What is the idea of one nation, one election? Is it a good idea?
When will it be implemented? What are the legalities? Can it be implemented or not?
What will be the impact on common voters like you and me? Is this Masterstroke being discussed because BJP is realizing that winning elections is diminishing. Let's assume, there is no one nation one election, then what other options do we have to conduct elections smoothly?
Let's try to find In the Modi 2. 0 campaign, on 2nd September, 2023, a high-level committee was formed to make a detailed report on the One Nation One Election. The chairman was his former president, Ramnath Kovind.
That's why he's also called the Kovind Committee. On March 2024, this committee submitted its report to the government. Now, we have always read in civics that the President of India is a rubber stamp.
Here too, our former president did the same thing. The committee's job was to put a seal on the government's plan. Not to ask what is the logic of One Nation One Election.
Just agree and find a way That is why no regional party, no opposition leader, no sitting CM were not included in this committee. This committee was made to bring such a big change in our democracy. On 18th September, 2024, the Union Cabinet accepted the report.
It doesn't mean that the one nation one election will be implemented. It's a different process. But the NDA government has publicly announced that it will try to implement the one nation one election.
Just like the black money was going to be wiped out in demonetization the people of the country will get a lot of relief from the one nation one election. The logic is that the government will be able to focus on work and not on mutton, mughal, masjid, mangalsutra election speeches Basically, a system of discipline will be brought in our democracy. People say that Modi ji must have thought about it.
Let's see how much thought was put in. After independence, when elections were held in the country, 1951 onwards the MLA and MP elections were held simultaneously, i. e.
of the state and the central government. But slowly, this sync started to break. Some states' governments could not run for 5 years, some hung assemblies happened, elections were held again, sometimes the government fell in the middle of Lok Sabha.
So, because of all this, In 2024, along with Lok Sabha elections there were only 4 states where state elections were held simultaneously Every year, state elections are held. This year. .
. . Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra.
Next year, elections in Bihar, then Kerala, Assam and Bengal. And at the same time, local body elections are held. The aim of One Nation One Election is that every 5 years, the elections will be held together.
Like it used to be in the 1950s, during Nehru's time. The government wants to save money, less campaign, and more focus on development. First obvious question is.
. . if a government will fall in mid-term and elections will be disrupted again, like it was in 1960s and 70s.
So, what is the plan of the Kovind committee to prevent the election from getting out of sync again? That is why the committee has suggested two bills, which will include 15 constitutional amendments. Remember, this is a very far-reaching concept.
The aim is to establish a two-phase system. Every five years, Lok Sabha and all state governments will be elected together. And within 100 days of the election, local body elections will be conducted.
This is the plan. Now, let's understand it in detail. How will it be implemented?
First, the most important point is the bill will bring some new articles and amend some of them. according to article 82 a(1) president will appoint a date after general elections this date will be 5 yrs later, and all state assemblies will be dissolved and elections will be held again. For example, if the system is accepted in the parliament and one nation one election is implemented from 2029, suppose the appointed date is 5th May 2029, then all state governments and central governments will be dissolved so that elections will be held together.
Even if some election is held a year back, like Karnataka in 2028 after one year fresh election will happen So that Karnataka can sync with one nation, one election Only then a state election can be delayed if there is major security special circumstance Otherwise, everyone will have election at the same time. But the most important question here is that you have already made a big decision, made a constitutional amendment, But what is the guarantee that the Sync won't break again? The government won't fall for anyone, there won't be a hung assembly, no government will be broken, people will be taken to Assam.
Here, the Kovind committee has played the real masterstroke. Article 83(3) and article 172(3) amendment These are about the length of Lok Sabha and State Assembly which is 5 years. The amendment recommends a concept of full term and unexpired term.
Full term means full 5 years. This is not a new thing. But it is interesting when a government falls before completing its full term And if the central government or any state government dissolves before its full term, then the remaining period is called an unexpired term.
Suppose all elections are held in 2029 The full term will end in 2034 right? But let's assume that the government of Karnataka falls in 2032. The next synchronized election will take place in 2034.
So, what will happen in the next 2 years? In the unexpired term? If the government falls before the full term, elections will be held again.
But the new government will not run for 5 years. It will be only for unexpired term. In our fictional example, there will be elections in Karnataka in 2032.
But the government will dissolve after 2 years. And in 2034, again, under the One Nation One Election, elections will be held again. People will have to come back to vote This means that one nation one election is there to show.
There can be many more elections. The voter fatigue can increase even more. These will be the rules of every state and union territory.
And this will be the rule for the centre as well. That before completing the term, if a government falls, then it will fight for the un-expired term. It could be a government for 1 or 2 yrs Isn't it bigger masterstroke than demonetization?
Earlier, people used to stand outside the ATM line. Now, they will stand in front of the polling booth. So, governments will be formed with such un-expired terms.
So that the one nation one election sync remains What impact will there be? But masterstroke is not over. .
. Second bill talks about local body election To hold local body election within 100 days of lok sabha and assembly election But the main issue is first bill The government's point is that by holding elections again and again, there are a lot of losses. A lot of money is spent, security forces, police are deployed.
This is why the Model Code of Conduct is being implemented again and again. Due to which the government is not able to take decisions. 4-4.
5 years is very less to take decisions. When the Model Code of Conduct comes, only then does the government take decisions. And elections are a waste of time in campaigning We don't get time to focus on the governance and stability of the country, which impacts development.
It was Nehru's fault earlier, but now we understand that elections are happening again and again in the country, that is the mistake Let's understand the arguments one by one. Economic argument. We have not got any proof that one nation one election will reduce the cost.
If all the elections are held at the same time, then you will need 3 times more EVMs and VVPAT machines. S. Y.
Quraishi said that 40 lakh extra EVM will be needed This will have a huge financial and logistical impact on our government. On top of that, the frequency of elections will be reduced - There is no guarantee In our country, the government falls frequently. In such a case, elections have to be held again.
Then, the government will come for an unexpired term. It will be dissolved again. Again an election EC can strictly monitor candidate spending.
Implement model code of conduct. This will reduce the expenditure. No need to change the system.
If BJP stops bringing scheme like electoral bond, then electoral expenditure will be reduced If election commission wants then they can put limit on party spending But let's assume that the election expenditure will be reduced by a little by the one nation one election Even then, such a move will not be good for the country. For inclusive democracy, sometimes if the expenses are a little more, then let it be. In such a big country, there are different problems, and demands, so when state elections are held then issues of state are focused on, state residents can voice themselves Maharashtra population is nearly equal to France and UK populations combined then why should we not focus on Maharashtra issues separately?
If elections are held simultaneously, then the state will be suppressed under national issues. And I think BJP's plan is to make Modi Modi, National Security, use religion and make parliamentary elections presidential style No need to pay attention to state level issues. What is the logic to dissolve a stable government just to bring it in sync?
People voted in the elections 2 years ago, but you said the calendar is here. We are dissolving it. What kind of democracy is this?
And this is also because this unexpired term will not be taken seriously. It will also have a legal challenge. And what will you do if the assembly is hung again?
How many elections will you have elections? Which politician will take it seriously? The worst is happening with local body elections.
They will have to conduct elections within 100 days of general and state elections. There again, the question arises, is this one nation one election or one nation two election? Anyway, local bodies have 30 lakh representatives who are directly involved in local governance.
Former CEC SY Quraishi says that it is logistically difficult to conduct these elections after state and lok sabha election properly. And there is going to be voter fatigue on a higher level. First, you said, go to Lok Sabha, then state assembly vote and then do local body polling.
This is not sensible. In 2024, it took 7 phases to get Lok Sabha and 4 state elections. It will take 10-15 phases to get Lok Sabha, states and union territories elections.
And we don't know how many months it will last. . And if you get all local body elections right after that, too much fakiri Is the natural spread out system right now really a problem?
That this move is required? Or the government wants to relieve the pressure of semi referendums on them? BJP says it is a matter of stability If the government cannot take decisions because of the model code of conduct, then change it.
Deliver your promises. You have not been able to give 2 crores jobs. Now you are blaming elections If politicians want to campaign for half a year, then it is a party high command's problem.
You are trying to get Modi and Amit Shah in the municipal elections It was not like this during Nehru and Vajpayee's time that the Prime Minister is coming in the MLA and local body elections. So, it is possible that there is no problem in the elections but in your election campaigning system I would say that people on high level posts should get only few days permission to campaign. centralizing tendency of BJP to fight every election in the name of Modi is a problem Maybe BJP is also realizing that this system is not working well.
Be it in Haryana, Maharashtra or Jharkhand, the issues are getting localized Regional parties are trying to come forward. Modi magic is getting less. Demodization has started in the country.
We had made an episode on this Maybe that's why they want to unite the elections in the name of stability and efficient government. So that national issues are talked about In this system, it is easy to win elections by handling emotional issues and headline management. One big riot, one big explosion, then elections are in your hands.
And then you can enjoy for 5 years. And understand the words stability and efficiency The government will be efficient for you when, if it is through election, they have to focus on issues. What is the benefit of stability if a politician does not answer the questions of the citizens for 5 years?
A sticker of beautiful words is being pasted on bad decisions. Remember, what was discussed during demonetization? development at a fast pace.
But what was the effect? It affected the poor of the country, shopkeepers, businessmen. The One Nation One Election will also affect the poorest Those who get some benefit when there are elections, they are heard.
500 and 1000 notes were expired in demonetization Here, the attempt is being made to expire small governments and small state elections. There is no doubt that the One Nation One Election will demonetize our democracy But there is a difference between demonetization and One Nation One Election. Demonetization was done by the complete majority government.
One Nation One Election might just be a phrase. Because the Modi government cannot implement it at will. The recommendations given by the Kovind Committee require constitutional amendments.
This is not going to happen with a simple majority. You need a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. BJP needs 362 votes for 2/3 majority BJP and all allies together, make 293 votes.
Rajya Sabha has a two-thirds majority mark 164, and NDA current strength is 121. BJP had to cross 400 to pass the constitutional amendments. But it didn't.
And now there is no 2/3 majority Second recommendation of Kovind committee requires 2/3rd majority in states also Municipal and panchayat elections are in state list States have the power to make laws on topics. NDA has the power to state ratification. If the situation in Haryana and Maharashtra, seems not good then ratification of the state will be difficult.
That is why Modi wants to bring it to the parliament as soon as possible. In this winter session, so that at least more states do not get out of the elections. Ashwini Vaishnaw says that opposition parties will slowly agree to this amendment.
Now, people have been appointed to convince the opposition, to talk to the leaders. But leave the opposition, perhaps BJP's own state-level leaders will also not agree to the One Nation One election. Will Yogi Adityanath agree to it that only Modi's face will remain in the UP election and not his?
Yogi Adityanath's performance was good in 2022 but in 2024, BJP's boat sank in UP due to Modi magic. It's BJP inside battle, let's leave that aside Opposition parties rejected the proposal, some believe it is against structure of constitution and undermines federalism. So, it can be challenged in the court In this case, this step of BJP may be just Jumla, but it is being shown to people that Modi can still take masterstroke steps but in the end, it will be put in a cold case.
Godi media is arguing on this for no reason but nothing may happen If it is about electoral reform, then debate on issues like right to recall, tighter control on expenditure, delimitation etc. Congress President says that the purpose is only distraction Keep people trapped in big schemes so that they don't have to answer real issues. But in 2024, after surprise performance in the last election, there is overconfidence in Congress This is a direct challenge to Congress.
The question is, will Congress be able to convey to the public the truth of Modi's new masterstroke? And it is possible that Congress will not provide a solution. Election Commission has a right to hold 6-month election at the same time.
So, they have a scope to club all the elections. What if you expand this scope to 12 months? Meaning, one year, one election.
All the states will have elections once a year. And when Lok Sabha will have elections, then the elections of those states will be held in that year. People happy, politicians happy, and the solution is quite simple.
But it will still be difficult to take away power So, maybe that's why it's not that opportunistic for some parties If BJP had to run the elections efficiently, why couldn't they run the elections of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir together? It is heard that BJP will have to campaign in other states. That is why the elections were split.
If you can't run elections of four states at one time, why are you dreaming of running elections of a big country like India once? Will the Election Commission be able to do this? Let's assume that the bill is passed, constitutional amendment is done, 2-3rd majority is obtained If we talk about 2019, Jharkhand assembly election was done in 5 phases 2021 West Bengal assembly elections were done in 8 phases.
Lok Sabha elections were done in 7 phases It took 11 days to get voter turnout data and you are saying that this election commission will conduct simultaneous polls. Now, the cheerleaders of the One Nation One Election forget that our country and democracy are very diverse and big. The foundation of our democracy is based on the parliamentary and federal system.
Neither presidential nor unitary. trying to play with the basic structure of our democracy again and again. People's voice is different for the state and for the center.
It is not wise to force the people's voices in a calendar for cost cutting and convenience. It is treason with our constitution. In simple words, whenever the people of the country lose their trust in the government, then there will be elections.
This is the right that our constitution gives us. Now, the people of India, the constitutional right that they have, the attempt to put it in a calendar, it is necessary to resist it. Otherwise, if it is not resisted, it can destroy the entire system.
Just like demonetization destroyed our economy.
