Context :
( ET / 01 Sept 2023 )
Extract :
In an important move that could potentially reshape India's electoral landscape, the Modi-led Union government, has formed a panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of "one nation, one election".
Assembly elections are scheduled for five states in November-December, followed by Lok Sabha elections in May-June of following year.
The concept of 'One Nation, One Election' centers around the idea of conducting simultaneous elections throughout the country for both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This means holding elections for both the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies simultaneously, with voting likely taking place concurrently.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long advocated for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
At present, elections for state assemblies and the Lok Sabha occur separately – either at the end of a five-year term for the incumbent government or in the event of dissolution due to various factors.
What are the Benefits of Holding Simultaneous Elections
A primary argument for holding joint polls is that it can save considerable amount of money spent on conducting separate polls of state assemblies and Lok Sabha.
As per some reports, a staggering sum of approximately Rs 60,000 crore was spent during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This figure encompasses expenses incurred by political parties engaged in the electoral process and the Election Commission of India's costs in organising the elections
Administrative expenses:
There are also significant and obvious expenditures associated with repeatedly deploying and transferring security officers.
Because of election duty and related labour, government machinery misses out on their regular obligations during each election. These millions of man-hours are not accounted for in the election budget.
Policy gridlock:
Furthermore, proponents of synchronised elections suggest that administrative efficiency across the nation could improve, as the customary slowdown during polling periods would be minimised.
Routine administrative functions often face disruptions due to election-related duties undertaken by officials.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) impacts government functionaries, as no new substantial policy can be declared or implemented after the elections are called.
Continuity in policy implementation between central and state governments is also anticipated, as simultaneous elections could eliminate the need for the Model Code of Conduct, which temporarily halts the launch of new public welfare projects during election periods.
Higher voter turnout:
Simultaneous elections could potentially lead to higher voter turnout, as casting votes would be more convenient for citizens when conducted together.
Challenges and Concerns
However, the prospect of simultaneous elections necessitates constitutional amendments to align state legislative assembly terms with the Lok Sabha's duration. Amendments to the Representation of the People Act and other parliamentary processes would also be essential.
Simultaneous elections would require unilaterally shortening or extending the terms of current legislatures in order to align their election dates with the due date for the rest of the country.
Some argue that imposing simultaneous elections is against the spirit of democracy because it attempts to impose an artificial cycle of elections while limiting voters' options.
Critics, notably regional parties, express reservations about the dominance of national issues overshadowing local concerns during simultaneous elections. They also cite the potential inability to match the election strategies and expenditures of national parties.
Research conducted by the IDFC Institute said that if elections are held at six-month intervals, there's a 77 percent likelihood of voters favoring the same political party or alliance for both state assemblies and the Lok Sabha. This figure drops to 61 percent if elections are held six months apart.
Support and Opposition
The notion of simultaneous elections was commonplace in India until 1967. Although it faded due to early dissolutions of some legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha, the Election Commission sought its revival in 1983, yet the government at the time dismissed the idea. Subsequent efforts, including those in the 1999 Law Commission report and the 2014 election manifesto of the BJP, have aimed to reintroduce synchronized elections.
Prime Minister Modi revived discussions on the topic in 2016, followed by the Niti Aayog's working paper in the subsequent year. Despite preparedness expressed by the Election Commission, implementing the idea would necessitate constitutional changes and parliamentary decisions, as highlighted by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra in 2022.
Related Readings :
India's govt contemplates 'One Nation, One Election': Can Modi's ambitious reform be a reality?
One Nation, One Election: Govt could bring bill in special session of Parliament ..
Govt names simultaneous polls panel; Adhir opts out
1 Nation, 1 Poll: Committee examines legal and constitutional challenges and possibilities
My Take :
My 37 blogs on “ One Nation, One Election “(till 02 Sept 2023 )
My 10 YEAR old Proposal :
VotesApp ………. ………………..18 Aug 2013
Extract :
Here is a suggestion to IIT-Bombay, to develop a voting app , to be called VotesApp. Highlights of VotesApp :
Ø An Android app which can be downloaded from Google Play / Android Zoom /
GetJar and the official web site of Election Commission of India
Ø It will be pre-loaded on 220 million Aakash tablets which Govt of India plans to
distribute to students
Ø It will also be pre-loaded on those Smart phones ( to be called, “ Dharati “ ? ),
which Govt of India plans to distribute free to 400 million “ poor “ Indians , before
2014 National elections
Ø All tablet / smart phone manufacturers will be encouraged to pre-load VotesApp
Ø Using this app , a voter can register at Election Commission web site, where
he will enter the same data Which he has submitted for his Aadhar card,
including Aadhar card number ( Unique Identification No )
Ø All of these details will be verified by Aadhar database
Ø Obviously , those who have not obtained their Aadhar card , will not be able to
use VotesApp . They will need to visit nearest polling booth
Ø Upon correct verification , Aadhar Database will permanently link the person’s
Aadhar number with the mobile number from which registration is done, and
issue a Password
An under aged person will not be allowed to register
Ø A person will be able to vote only from that mobile number
Ø After login on first screen, user will be asked to select one option from >
Panchayat Election > Municipal Election
Sabha Election
Ø Upon selection, user will be presented with the list of candidates contesting , from
which , he can select only one by ticking a checkbox.
There will be also a choice , labeled “ None “
Ø A long press on a candidate’s name will display details of his declared assets as
also his criminal record
Ø After ticking / selecting a candidate, voter will click on “ VOTE “ button,
whereupon his vote gets registered and VotesApp gets inactivated
Ø Once a voter registers on Election Commission web site , he cannot go to a poling
booth and vote physically
Ø In less than one year , Govt of India will recover the cost of 220 million
Aakash tablets and 400 million” Dharati “ smart phones , through
this customized / personalized
Machines ) to a hand-held device.
And imagine the millions of man-hours saved !
Ø And the beauty is, no one can capture this booth , or conduct exit polls ! What will
“ experts “ discuss on TV channels ?
What next ? Election Commission “licensing “ this App to other countries ?
* hemen parekh ( 18 Dec 2012 )
------------------------------
Addition on 15 Dec 2015 :
Vote will get recorded only when that Voter takes a Selfie - which will get
matched automatically , with His Aadhar Card photo
==============================
My Footnote ( dt 04 Sept 2023 ) :
> The news-report cited above mentions election expenses @ Rs 60,000 crore for
2019 Lok Sabha Elections alone . To that , add another Rs 60,000 crore for all the
state elections . That adds up to Rs 120,000 crores
> In my 2013 suggestion , I had suggested Central Government giving away for
FREE , 220 million ( 22 crore ) AKASH TABLETS + 400 million ( 40 crore ) Smart
Phones ( a total of 62 crore devices )
> Reliance Jio just announced launch of its 5G enabled Smart Phone , priced at
Rs 999 ( for ease of calculations , round off to Rs 1000
> That means , with Rs 120,000 crore ( election expenses saved ) , Govt can buy
120 Crore Smart Phones - and give away FREE to each of 90 Crore
voters ( - not necessarily Jio but open tender for all )
> These could be named VotesApp Devices - and cannot be used for any other
normal phone functions ( hard coded only for voting and e-governance Apps ).
> Just before the 5 year voting exercise , its software will get UP-GRADED ,
automatically
> Govt may consider this smartphone as a DEDICATED e-GOVERNANCE DEVICE
{ DeGD } and preload ALL govt services related Apps such as :
# UMANG
# COWIN
# AYUSHMAN ........etc
As per my custom , I asked BARD and ChatGPT , their views on my proposal of
mobile voting app VotesApp
Following are their views :
BARD :
I think your proposal for a mobile app-based voting system, VotesApp, is a very innovative and promising idea.
It has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of conducting elections, while also making the voting process more convenient and secure.
Here are some of the technical challenges that would need to be addressed in order to implement VotesApp:
· Security: The system would need to be designed to prevent voter fraud and hacking. This could be done by using blockchain technology or other cryptographic techniques.
· Privacy: The system would need to protect the privacy of voters' ballots. This could be done by using blind signatures or other techniques.
· Accessibility: The system would need to be accessible to all voters, including those who do not have smartphones or internet access. This could be done by providing access to the system through public libraries, community centers, or other designated locations.
· Scalability: The system would need to be able to handle the large number of voters who would be using it. This could be done by using cloud computing or other scalable technologies.
I believe that these challenges are surmountable, and that VotesApp has the potential to be a major breakthrough in the way elections are conducted.
It is a bold and ambitious proposal, but I think it is one that is worth pursuing.
Here are some additional thoughts on the technical feasibility of VotesApp using blockchain technology:
· Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that can be used to record transactions in a secure and transparent way. This makes it a promising candidate for use in a voting system, as it could help to prevent fraud and hacking.
· There are a number of blockchain platforms that could be used to develop VotesApp, such as Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, and Corda. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it would need to be carefully evaluated before making a decision.
· The development of VotesApp would require a team of experts with experience in blockchain technology, voting systems, and security. It would also be important to get input from election officials and other stakeholders.
Overall, I believe that VotesApp is a technically feasible concept that has the potential to revolutionize the way elections are conducted.
However, it is important to carefully address the challenges involved before moving forward with its development.
ChatGPT :
Your proposal for VotesApp, which suggests using a mobile app for conducting elections in India, seems to address some of the advantages and challenges associated with the concept of "One Nation, One Election."
Here are some comments on the technical feasibility and implications of such an app:
Advantages:
1. Cost Savings: Your proposal highlights the potential cost savings associated with using a mobile app for voting. This could indeed reduce the expenses related to conducting physical elections, such as the printing of ballots, transportation, and manpower.
2. Efficiency: Conducting elections through a mobile app could streamline the voting process and make it more efficient. Voters could cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes, reducing long queues and wait times at polling stations.
3. Verification: Integrating the app with Aadhar database for voter verification can enhance the security of the voting process and help prevent voter fraud.
4. Accessibility: Pre-loading the app on government-distributed tablets and smartphones could make it accessible to a significant portion of the population, including those in rural areas.
5. Data Analytics: The digital nature of the voting process could enable more comprehensive data analytics, which could be used for better understanding voter behavior and preferences.
Challenges and Concerns:
1. Digital Divide: While distributing smartphones and tablets is a positive step, it may not reach all citizens, particularly in remote or economically disadvantaged areas. This could exacerbate the digital divide in the voting process.
2. Cybersecurity: Ensuring the security and integrity of the mobile app and the voting process is paramount. Any vulnerabilities or potential for hacking could undermine the trust in the system.
3. Privacy: Collecting and storing voter data through the app raises concerns about privacy and data protection. Strong encryption and data security measures would be necessary to address these concerns.
4. Access Barriers: People without access to smartphones or tablets or those who are not tech-savvy may face barriers in using the app. Ensuring inclusivity is crucial.
5. Election Commission's Role: Implementing such a system would require significant coordination and oversight from the Election Commission of India, including ensuring the app's security, fairness, and accessibility.
6. Legal Framework: Developing a legal framework and constitutional amendments, as mentioned in the article, would be essential to facilitate the use of such an app for national elections.
7. User Authentication: While Aadhar integration could help with voter verification, ensuring the app's user authentication is robust is critical to prevent impersonation or unauthorized voting.
In summary, while the concept of VotesApp has the potential to address some of the challenges associated with simultaneous elections, it also presents its own set of technical, security, and accessibility challenges. Implementing such a system would require careful planning, robust cybersecurity measures, and legal changes to ensure a fair and inclusive electoral process. Additionally, addressing concerns related to privacy and data protection is crucial to gaining public trust in such a system.
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