SIMULTANEOUS ELECTION: IS IT FEASIBLE IN INDIA?

This paper analyses the feasibility of simultaneous election (one nation, one election) in India.  The principle of simultaneous advocates that the voters in all the three levels of elections should simultaneously exercise their franchise on the same day. How effective and unique this concept will be in India's diversified political system is a matter of research.  Along with this, it will also be interesting to see how far the arguments given in favour and against this concept match with the Constitution of India and its provisions.  Elections are the foundation of democracy, so the timely conduction of it. This paper argues that holding simultaneous election are not practically and constitutionally possible. Holding simultaneous elections for a fixed term of five years limits the right of the people to express confidence or dissatisfaction with the government. It will also affect federal structure of the country because certain state governments need to be dissolved by centre at its own whims and wants which are elected by people for five years. It will also confuse voters on national and regional issues which is not good from the democratic point of view.

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Keywords: Simultaneous Election, Election Commission of India, Federalism, Model Code of Conduct.


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