It will save money, time and energy
If elections are held simultaneously, the odds of gaining or losing prevails just once. The rest of their term, a politician can work for the job he/ she been elected to.
Every year one state or the other state is geared up for an election. The tiring process of campaigning and the cost incurred in the midst of all this is an ideal example on why this country needs the policy of “One nation, one election”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been calling for holding state and national elections together to reduce the expenses that go into holding these, as also the chaos associated with it. The BJP has always promoted work culture, and proven itself through its work, not fake promises and schemes. Issues like expenditure; diversion of security and civil staff from primary duties; impact on governance due to the model code of conduct and disruption to normal public life stand among the key reasons as to why India needs this policy.
We talk about India being the world’s biggest democracy, and the Opposition is asking how one election could justify the right to vote of nearly 850 million people. We do not want to create any ruckus or hindrance in the people’s right or choices, but if simultaneous elections are held we can save about Rs 2,000 crores from each state election and around Rs 30,000 crores in Lok Sabha elections. This amount can then be used for the development of the country. The decision will be taken on the basis of consensus amid all political parties; we will invite all political parties to participate in the discussion on this issue.
Not only Mr Modi but former President Pranab Mukherjee too had expressed concern over frequent elections. He also spoke of massive expenditure, diversion of officials from their primary duties, and disruption of the administrative cycle, which further burden human and economic resources.
There is no denying that this could also affect a party’s fortunes, as a common election would affect the votebank. We’ve witnessed parties working only when the elections are round the corner; if simultaneous elections are held all the parties would be forced to work for development at all times, and not just before elections, which in turn would take our country further on the path of progress. Those who wish to see the country rising shouldn’t see a policy like this through the narrow prism of politics.
Simultaneous elections is not something new; this was the practice before 1967 as well but was discontinued due to the premature dissolution of Assemblies. The Niti Aayog has also listed the benefits of holding simultaneous elections in its discussion paper. A combined election procedure would give the policymakers enough time to concentrate on policymaking. I feel such a practice would also reduce casteism, communalism and corruption.
If elections are held simultaneously, the odds of gaining or losing prevails just once. The rest of their term, a politician can work for the job he/ she been elected to.
Further, India won’t be the only country to hold simultaneous elections as and when that happens; countries like the United States, South Africa and Sweden also hold national and provincial elections simultaneously. The issue should not be negated just because Mr Modi is bringing it to the platform, the issue should be considered for its innate merits.
There have been suggestions coming from various political parties. For such a drastic step, we must rise above party politics. All politicians must leave their egos aside and support this issue for the national cause.