ECI is ready to implement ‘One Nation, One Election’, says CEC Sunil Arora

Dec. 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again floated the idea of a ‘one nation, one poll.’ While the non-BJP ruled states do not appear in favour of the idea, the issue has been gaining traction. However, the issue has got a fresh lease of life with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora commenting that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is ready to implement the new system. In a report by News 18 India, it was claimed that, “We are ready for that. After all broad amendments (in laws) by the legislature, Election Commission of India (ECI) is ready for the One Nation One Poll.”

While the idea of conduct simultaneous elections is not new, Modi is pitching for it more than any other previous leaders in the country. Earlier, PM Modi advocated ‘One Nation, One Poll’ and single voters’ list, saying it is the need of India as polls taking place every few months impact development works.

The idea however is not a new one and the Election Commission had spoken about this concept back in 1983 itself. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, headed by E M Sudarsana Natchiappan, in 2015 also recommended simultaneous elections. In 2018, the Law Commission in its draft report recommended that all elections in a calendar year be conducted together. In May 1999, the Law Commission, then headed by Justice B P Jeevan Reddy had said, ‘ we need to go back to a situation, where elections to the Lok Sabha and all the Legislative Assemblies are held at once.’ First and foremost the concept would reduce the burden on the exchequer a great deal. Secondly it makes the job the Election Commission easier.

Elections are an expensive affair and several crores of rupees are spent. Having simultaneous polls would reduce the burden on the exchequer a great deal. The cost of security, staff salaries and other expenses would be the same. This would in turn reduce the burden on the exchequer to a large extent.