Simultaneous Elections

News

Simultaneous Elections in India aim to synchronize Lok  Sabha  and  State Assembly elections. Local body elections are excluded.  To  achieve  this,  it requires amendments to the Constitution, Representation  of  the  People  Act 1951, and legislative assembly procedures, with approval from at least 50% of states (Law Commission’s recommendations).

Pros

 

  • Reduced public spending
  • Eased administrative and security burdens
  • Timely policy implementation
  • Less populist

Cons

 

  • It may lead to party alignment between state and central
  • Sideling local and regional
  • Diminishing checks on elected representatives.
  • Challenges
  • Favour large national parties over regional

Any changes must require both a  constitutional  amendment  and  judicial approval that they do not violate the “basic structure” of the Constitution. A focused group of constitutional experts, think tanks, government officials and representatives of political parties should be formed to work out appropriate implementation measures.