Chidambaram tells JPC ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills are unconstitutional, mindless
We sought Chidambaram’s views as part of this examination process, and the committee will examine them before making its recommendations, said P.P. Chaudhary
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Context
The Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) is currently examining two crucial bills aimed at implementing the 'One Nation, One Election' framework: the , and the . Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram strongly opposed the legislation before the panel, arguing it violates the Constitution's Basic Structure by curtailing the fixed tenure of legislatures, while other stakeholders highlighted concerns regarding governance vacuums and the need for clear statutory provisions.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
The push for simultaneous elections necessitates significant constitutional amendments. Currently, and mandate a five-year term for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies respectively, unless dissolved earlier. Implementing 'One Nation, One Election' requires amending these articles, along with (dissolution of Lok Sabha) and (dissolution of State Assemblies), to synchronize terms. The opposition argues that artificially curtailing a legislature's tenure undermines the Basic Structure Doctrine, which includes parliamentary democracy and federalism, as established in the . Furthermore, a constitutional amendment of this nature requires a special majority in Parliament under (two-thirds of members present and voting, and a majority of the total membership), which the current government reportedly lacks. UPSC candidates must analyze whether efficiency arguments for simultaneous elections outweigh concerns regarding the dilution of democratic mandates and legislative autonomy.
Governance
A central governance issue is the potential disruption caused by the continuous application of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Proponents of simultaneous elections argue that the frequent imposition of the MCC stalls development projects and policy implementation, creating a 'policy paralysis'. However, critics emphasize the risks of a governance vacuum during potential election deferrals under the proposed system. Think-tanks like the have stressed the need for mechanisms to handle situations where a government falls before its synchronized term ends. Suggestions include the adoption of a constructive vote of no-confidence (where a government can only be removed if a viable alternative is simultaneously elected, as seen in Germany) or implementing strict limits on . The debate centers on balancing continuous administration with democratic accountability.
Social
The social impact of continuous election cycles is often overlooked but significant. The deployment of vast administrative and security apparatus for elections strains public services. Experts highlighted before the JPC that repeated elections disrupt academic calendars and crucial national entrance examinations like . Furthermore, the diversion of medical personnel for election duties can severely impact the healthcare system, especially in rural areas. While these social costs are real, opponents argue that the solution cannot be an unconstitutional curtailment of the democratic process. UPSC mains answers should evaluate these administrative and social burdens against the foundational principles of representative democracy and the potential marginalization of regional issues in a synchronized electoral environment.