Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressing a press conference in New Delhi. , Photo Credit: PTI
The government pitched for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on March 17, 2023, saying it would result in huge savings to the exchequer, as it listed “imperatives” such as amending the constitution and bringing all political parties together Was. before doing the huge exercise.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said a parliamentary panel had examined the issue of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in consultation with various stakeholders, including the Election Commission. The committee has made some recommendations in this regard.
“The matter has now been referred to the Law Commission for further examination to prepare a workable road map and framework for simultaneous elections,” Mr Rijiju said.
He said that holding simultaneous elections would result in huge savings to the exchequer and avoid duplication of efforts of administrative and law and order machinery in holding repeated elections. This will result in considerable savings to political parties and candidates in their election campaigns.
“Moreover, asynchronous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections (including bypolls) result in prolonged enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and adversely impact developmental and welfare programmes,” the minister said.
He also listed the “major constraints/imperatives” for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
He said the change would require amendments to “not less than five” articles of the Constitution – Article 83 relating to the duration of the Houses of Parliament, Article 85 relating to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha by the President, Article 172 relating to the duration of state legislatures, Article 174 deals with the dissolution of state legislatures, and Article 356 deals with the imposition of President’s rule in states.
Before implementing the proposal, it will also need to get the consent of all political parties.
“With regard to the federal structure of our polity, it is necessary that the concurrence of all the state governments is also obtained,” the minister said.
This would also require additional numbers of electronic voting machines and VVPATs (paper trail machines), “which could cost thousands of crores of rupees,” he added. “Given that the life of a machine is only 15 years, this would mean that the machine would be used about three or four times in its life span, with huge expenditure in its replacement after every 15 years”.
He also flagged the need for additional polling personnel and security forces.
He noted that the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice had highlighted in its 79th report that elections to national as well as provincial assemblies in South Africa are held simultaneously for five years. and municipal elections are held for two years. Later
In Sweden, elections to the national legislature (Riksdag) and provincial legislature/county councils (Landing) and local bodies/municipal assemblies (Komunfulmaktige) are held on a fixed date – the second Sunday in September for four years.
He informed the House that in the UK, the tenure of Parliament is governed by the Fixed Term of Parliament Act, 2011.