Shimla: Himachal Pradesh University Institute of Law Studies, Shimla, organized an expert talk on One Nation One Election at Ava Lodge.
Former IAS officer JC Sharma, former minister Suresh Bhardwaj and head of the University Law Studies Institute Shiv Dogra were present in the program.
There was a detailed discussion on One Nation One Election in this program in which there was an exchange of views, this information was given by JC Sharma.
Sharma explained that simultaneous elections, popularly known as One Nation One Election, means holding simultaneous elections for all state assemblies, Lok Sabha and local bodies, municipalities, and Panchayats throughout the country. In India, elections to territorial assemblies and Lok Sabha were held simultaneously from 1951-52 to 1967. This cycle was broken and at present elections are held every year and sometimes at different times within a year, resulting in huge government expenditure, long hours of distraction of security forces and election officers engaged in elections from their primary duties, and hindrance in development work due to enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Thus, the Law Commission of India, in its 170th report on reforms in election laws, stated that the government should consider a situation where elections to Lok Sabha and all assemblies are held simultaneously, i.e. One Nation, One Election. Under One Nation One Election, elections to Lok Sabha and all assemblies throughout the country will be held only once every five years.
He said that One Nation One Election is very beneficial; conducting simultaneous elections ensures convenience and ease for voters, avoids voter fatigue, and increases voting percentage. One Nation One Election will bring more certainty to policies. Frequent elections create an atmosphere of uncertainty and this can affect policy decisions.
Suresh Bhardwaj also enumerated the benefits of One Nation One Election, saying that holding simultaneous elections would lead to enhanced economic stability and growth, enabling businesses to make decisions without the fear of adverse policy changes.
When elections are held simultaneously at all three levels of government, it will avoid disruption in the production and supply chain cycle as it will prevent migrant workers from taking leave to vote.
