The Union Law Ministry has praised the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill. The ministry has told the Joint Committee of Parliament considering 'One Nation-One Election' that holding simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and state assemblies is not undemocratic.
At the same time, this will not harm the federal structure. The Union Law Ministry also said that it is not undemocratic.
Citing the report of the high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election', the explainer said that simultaneous elections promote continuity in governance.
What did the joint committee say in the recommendation?
As for the recommendation for holding simultaneous elections by the panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, it said that due to the ongoing cycle of elections in different parts of the country, political parties, their leaders, legislators, and state and central governments often focus their attention on preparing for the upcoming elections rather than prioritizing governance."
Responding to queries posed by the joint committee members, the Legislative Department of the Union Law Ministry said that in the past too, elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies have been held simultaneously, but the cycle was broken due to various reasons, including the imposition of President's rule in some states.
Sources said the ministry has answered some of the queries, while some other queries have been referred to the Election Commission. The joint committee is holding its next meeting on Tuesday.
How was the electoral process in the past?
In fact, after the adoption of the Constitution, elections to the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies were held simultaneously from 1951 to 1967. This tradition was also continued in the three subsequent general elections in 1957, 1962, and 1967. The cycle of simultaneous elections continued. However, this cycle of simultaneous elections was interrupted due to the premature dissolution of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969.
The fourth Lok Sabha was also dissolved prematurely in 1970, following which fresh elections were held in 1971. Unlike the first, second, and third Lok Sabhas, which completed their full five-year terms, the term of the fifth Lok Sabha was extended to 1977 under Article 352 due to the declaration of Emergency.
Only a few Lok Sabhas after that have lasted a full five-year term. The eighth, 10th, 14th and 15th. Other Lok Sabha terms including the sixth, seventh, ninth, 11th, 12th, and 13th were dissolved prematurely.
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