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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has thrown its weight behind the concept of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. During a meeting with a high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind, the BJP delegation, headed by party chief JP Nadda, reiterated the need for consensus-driven changes in the electoral laws of India. They emphasized that the current practice of frequent model code of conduct implementations hinders effective governance and breeds corruption.
The BJP’s endorsement marks it as the fourth political party to support this contentious proposal, while several opposition parties, including the Congress, have vehemently opposed it, citing concerns about its impact on democracy and federalism.
Nadda, addressing reporters, outlined the party’s stance, stating, “BJP has put forth that in the People’s Representative Act, change should be made through consensus. There should be only one voter list for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha & Panchayat.”
The Representation of the People Act, 1951, governs elections to the Houses of Parliament and state legislatures, handling aspects such as seat allocation, constituency delimitation, and voter qualifications.
The BJP delegation stressed the need to synchronize Lok Sabha and assembly polls promptly, suggesting that if local body elections cannot be conducted immediately, then at least Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha polls should be held together to mitigate issues arising during the model code of conduct.
The High-Level Committee (HLC), tasked by the Centre to explore the feasibility of simultaneous elections, along with the Law Commission, is actively engaged in examining this idea.
The BJP’s submission also addressed concerns regarding the model code of conduct, highlighting its adverse impact on administration, good governance, and development pace. Nadda pointed out the financial burden on political parties and the strain on security forces deployed for electoral duties.
The debate over simultaneous state and national elections is politically charged and divisive. While elections were held simultaneously across the country from 1952 to 1967, subsequent dissolution provisions led to staggered state and national polls.
The BJP’s manifestos in 2014 and 2019 advocated for synchronized elections nationwide, requiring amendments to multiple constitutional articles and the Representation of the People Act.
Previous deliberations by parliamentary standing committees, the Niti Aayog, and the Law Commission have acknowledged the escalating costs of frequent elections while cautioning about potential constitutional and legal hurdles.
Ram Nath Kovind has voiced support for simultaneous parliamentary and state assembly elections, urging all parties to back the initiative in the national interest. He highlighted the benefits of cost-saving and redirected funds for developmental purposes.
Thus, the BJP’s endorsement of the “One Nation, One Election” initiative reflects its commitment to electoral reform, setting the stage for broader discussions and potential legislative action in the future.
