| Syllabus: GS-II Subject: Polity Topic: Elections & RPA, Issue: Simultaneous polls |
Context: A report on macroeconomic impact of simultaneous elections submitted to the Ram Nath Kovind led committee.
Highlights of the report:
Taking data of the election years — 1962, 1967, 1977, 1980, and 1984-85,the report found that
- GDP growth increased by 1.5 percentage points more by simultaneous polls.
- Higher investments in the period around simultaneous election years compared to non-simultaneous years.
- Expenditure is more efficient post simultaneous elections,
- Inflation tends to be lower, learning outcomes are better, and crime rate is lower.
Simultaneous polls:
- Structuring the elections for the State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha to take place at the same time.
- In practice until 1967, fell out of sync due to frequent dissolution of Lok Sabhas and Assemblies.
| Benefits | Challenges |
| Significant cost savings for the public exchequer. | Constitutional amendments for at least five articles namely Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356. |
| Reduced strain on administrative structures and security forces, | Contradictory to the principles of the Constitution and federalism.(S.Y Quraishi) |
| Policy paralysis during Model Code of Conduct addressed | Implementation challenges:
1. What happens in case of hung assembly? 2. What if a government falls before completion of its term? |
| Consistently focused on developmental efforts | Disproportionately benefits national parties which have high financial resources. |
High-Level Committee (HLC):
- A High-Level Committee (HLC) on “One Nation, One Election” was constituted by the Government of India 2023.
- Chairperson: Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind
- Purpose : To examine the feasibility and recommend a framework for holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of States.
