India Inc Backs One Nation One Election – Times of India
India Inc, representing various industries, has expressed support for the concept of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and assembly elections once every five years. The move is aimed at avoiding disruptions and additional costs incurred due to multiple elections at different levels of government.
Both the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have submitted separate presentations to the committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Ficci has firmly demanded a single election every five years for the Union, state, and local governments, while CII has also backed the idea and suggested elections every two-and-a-half years as an alternative plan.
Ficci General Secretary Shailesh Pathak highlighted the negative impact of multiple elections on the ease of doing business in the country. In a letter to the committee, Pathak emphasized that the various codes of conduct during elections slow down the decision-making process by the government, which severely affects businesses and industries. Ficci has proposed that governments should be elected with a majority for a five-year term. In case the majority is lost, a specific period, such as 10 days, should be given for an alternate group to seek a vote of confidence. If no group can claim a majority, mid-term elections should be conducted for the remaining term, according to Ficci’s suggestion.
Ficci cited a report by Niti Aayog, a policy think tank, which reveals that the model code of conduct enforced during elections in 2014 resulted in the suspension of governance and development activities for nearly seven months. Ficci estimated that reducing the frequency of elections could lead to savings ranging from Rs 7,500 crore to Rs 12,000 crore.
The industry body has also proposed measures to simplify the voting process, such as allowing voters to cast their vote at the nearest polling booth. Additionally, Ficci recommended the use of ‘India Stack,’ a homegrown technology, to prepare electoral rolls, replacing the current time-consuming system.
The CII, which had previously demanded a common election in 2012 and 2018, echoed similar sentiments regarding the negative impact of elections on infrastructure projects and overall economic activity. The model code of conduct requires government employees to be involved in the electoral process, which leads to a slowdown in government work for nearly two months. The private sector, as well as public investment, is hesitant to invest before and after elections due to uncertainty. The CII emphasized that conducting simultaneous elections would reduce overall expenditure and minimize the number of days of productive work lost.
The proposal for One Nation One Election has gained traction in recent years, with the aim of streamlining the electoral process, saving costs, and ensuring stable governance. Proponents argue that such a system would reduce the interruptions caused by elections and allow governments to focus on implementing much-needed reforms.
While there are differing opinions on the frequency of elections, industry bodies like Ficci and CII are aligned in their call for synchronized elections to alleviate the negative impact on businesses, government work, and economic stability. The committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind will carefully consider the suggestions put forth by India Inc as it explores the feasibility and potential benefits of simultaneous elections.
As the nation debates the merits and challenges of the One Nation One Election concept, it remains to be seen whether this proposal will gain widespread support and lead to meaningful electoral reforms that can shape the future of India’s governance structure.
