It Could Push India Toward Greater Centralisation

December 17, 2024

A constitutional amendment bill aiming to hold Lok Sabha and state assembly elections simultaneously is set for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Dec. 17, a week after the Cabinet approved it. Critics, however, warn that “one nation, one election” could weaken the ability of local constituencies to have their interests accurately represented, among several other issues.

Called the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, it plans to pave the way for simultaneous elections, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It adds that the synchronised polling would not start before 2034. Further, if the Lok Sabha or an assembly is dissolved early, a mid-term poll would be held only for the remaining tenure.

At first glance, holding all elections at once may seem simpler and cheaper, but a closer look reveals plenty of potential problems.

First and foremost, when national and state elections happen at the same time, important local problems can get pushed aside by big national stories. Voters might hear mostly about large, nationwide issues instead of what really matters in their own areas.

This could give an advantage to bigger political parties, making it harder for smaller, local parties and candidates to be heard. Politicians focused on state-level concerns might find it tougher to be heard when the larger, nationwide conversation takes over every step of the election process.

The performance of local governments, whether good or poor, might not be examined as closely if citizens are tasked with making decisions about both national and regional representatives in a single voting session.

Without the chance for detailed, focused discussions, the unique concerns of each state and region could slip out of sight, affecting how people are represented.

Further, with all elections aligned, the allocation of campaign resources might tilt unevenly.  Larger parties operating across the country could deploy their considerable funds and manpower strategically, favouring certain regions over others.

This raises questions about the fairness of the electoral environment. Regional players, lacking equivalent financial muscle, might struggle to reach voters effectively, leaving some communities less informed or engaged in comparison to others.

There are also worries that putting all choices on one big ballot could tire people out. With so many options at the same time, voters might feel confused and unsure about their decisions. This could make it harder for them to take the time to learn about each candidate’s background and promises before casting their votes.

Furthermore, the country’s size and diversity introduce significant logistical challenges.

Managing vast stocks of voting machines, training large numbers of polling personnel and ensuring adequate resources across all regions at the same time would be an enormous undertaking. Ensuring each region receives the necessary resources, from functioning machines to properly trained officials, presents a formidable administrative task.

For example, people are already worried about how well electronic voting machines work, which shows just how tough a job the election commission would face.