Context:
- Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and former Harvard professor, has supported the idea of simultaneous elections in India.
- Her remarks come amid the Indian government’s push for “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) through proposed constitutional amendments.
- She, however, cautioned about administrative, legal, and fiscal challenges associated with the reform.
Key Highlights:
Expert Opinion / Policy Perspective:
- Simultaneous elections could be a “positive step” from an economic standpoint.
- Repeated elections disrupt:
- Governance
- Policy continuity
- Investment sentiment
- Frequent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) freezes:
- New projects
- Public expenditure decisions
- Administrative momentum
Government Initiative / Policy Details:
- ONOE proposals examined by:
- High-Level Committee (HLC) on Simultaneous Elections
- Parliamentary Standing Committees
- Key legislations involved:
- Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill
- Aim: Align Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
Data / Economic Rationale:
- India witnesses elections almost every year across states.
- Frequent polls cause:
- Delays in infrastructure projects
- Policy uncertainty
- Lower administrative efficiency
- ONOE could:
- Reduce public expenditure
- Improve investment predictability
- Enhance growth prospects
Concerns / Challenges Highlighted:
- India’s diverse and federal structure complicates synchronisation.
- States face:
- High logistical pressure
- Security deployment challenges
- Administrative overload
- Uncertainty remains over:
- Handling premature dissolution of legislatures
- Democratic accountability and federal autonomy
Relevant Mains Points:
- Facts & Provisions:
- ONOE requires amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Constitution.
- Election Commission of India plays a central role.
- Conceptual Clarity:
- Model Code of Conduct ensures free and fair elections but restricts governance.
- Federalism mandates autonomy of states in democratic processes.
- Keywords:
- Electoral Reforms
- Policy Certainty
- Cooperative Federalism
- Governance Efficiency
- Way Forward:
- Phased implementation of ONOE
- Constitutional safeguards for states
- Clear mechanisms for premature dissolution
- Broad political consensus and public consultation
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS Paper II: Constitution, Governance, Electoral Reforms
- GS Paper III: Economy, Investment Climate, Public Finance
- GS Paper IV: Ethics in Governance, Democratic Accountability