Simultaneous Elections

A simultaneous system of elections is simply the structuring of an election cycle such that the Lok Sabha and the state assembly elections are synchronised. Now we will understand the answer to what is meant by simultaneous elections. More clearly, we describe this form of election as a means by which people will be able to vote for members of the Lok Sabha and state legislatures either on the same day or in stages.

A Brief History of Simultaneous Elections in India

In 1951-52, the House of People (Lok Sabha) and the State Legislative Assemblies held their first general elections. This was seen in three consecutive General Elections, in 1957, 1962, and 1967. The cycle was disturbed in 1968 and 1969 when several Legislative Assemblies were prematurely dissolved. The Lok Sabha was dissolved prematurely in 1970, and new elections were conducted in 1971. As a result, the First, Second, and Third Lok Sabhas each served for a full five years. Under Article 352, the Fifth Lok Sabha’s tenure was prolonged till 1977. The Eighth, Tenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Lok Sabha may finish their full five-year mandates. The Lok Sabhas of the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth was dissolved prematurely.

There have been separate elections to the Lok Sabha and different State Legislative Assemblies for the past forty-eight years. Premature dissolutions and extensions of terms of the Lok Sabha and various State Legislative Assemblies disrupt the cycle of simultaneous elections.

Thus even while discussing what is meant by simultaneous elections, we realised it is quite a complicated process to be implemented in such a diverse democracy like India. Even though there are certain advantages of simultaneous elections, one cannot deny the

arguments against simultaneous elections. But let us first discuss the positive side of the system

Why Do People Push for Simultaneous Elections?

After fulfilling our quest to know what simultaneous elections mean, let us now consider some of the advantages of simultaneous elections.

• It is no secret that arranging elections in such a huge democracy like India is not an easy process. It requires the contribution of human labour, time, effort, and a huge amount of funds to set up the entire system. Thus, it would be far less costly to host the elections to the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha on the same day or the same period to reduce the disruption of the natural flow of work and fruitless expenditures.

• Simultaneous election favours the national viewpoint above the localised view. This is critical for the country’s cohesiveness.

• Simultaneous elections boost national parties because they encourage a national viewpoint. This slows the proliferation of political parties based on restricted voter bases.

• Simultaneous elections bring states and the central government closer together. The elected state administrations will be difficult to reject if the elections are held once every five years. As a result, the anomalies generated by Article 356 (President’s Rule) of the Indian Constitution are reduced, and republicanism is strengthened.

• The government benefits from the once-every-five-year simultaneous election. It enables the government to make tough and unpleasant decisions for the greater good.

Furthermore, let’s move on to the second part of our journey of discovering what is meant by simultaneous elections by understanding some arguments against simultaneous elections.

Some Basic Concerns About Simultaneous Elections

• Simultaneous elections have the potential to save the Election Commission money. However, there is no certainty that political parties’ spending will decrease. Political parties can spend the full sum at once rather than in stages.

• Within their respective jurisdictions, the Centre and States are equal and sovereign. Simultaneous elections have the potential to diminish the significance of state elections.

• A government can stay in office as long as it has Parliament’s support. Simultaneous elections can only function if administrations are elected for five years, regardless of whether or not Parliament has confidence in them. It eliminates the idea of a ‘no confidence motion,’ which is a crucial instrument for parliamentary oversight of the executive branch.

• Elections play a crucial role in representative democracy. Simultaneous elections with a set five-year term limit people’s ability to voice their approval or disapproval of the administration.

• Simultaneous elections every five years may provide logistical difficulties. Security personnel must be deployed in huge numbers to be free and fair for the elections. Given the existing security staff strength, this may be a difficult assignment.

Conclusion

A simultaneous system of elections is simply the structuring of an election cycle such that the Lok Sabha and the state assembly elections are synchronised. Thus after learning what is meant by simultaneous elections, we can see certain advantages and drawbacks to the whole process. But no electoral system is truly flawless, and the government and the citizens make a flawed system functional through their efforts and understanding.