The idea is about structuring the Indian elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are synchronised so that the elections of both can be held within a given span of time.
Advantages:
- Holding separate elections incur massive recurring expenditure for the state and central government. In case of simultaneous elections there would be only one electoral roll for all elections and the government would need the service of security forces and the civilian officials only once.
- The administration come under the strain due to mass scale transfer of officials within the state, in common elections it saves a lot of time of the officials.
- Holding separate elections comes in a way of development as the enforcement of code of conduct for a longer period led to stoppage of ongoing development work, even they suffer from inertia.
- Simultaneous elections would lessen the role of money in elections as campaign finance of parties would come down
- Monitoring of election expenditure by ECI will also become more effective due to the concreted efforts at the national level.
- Reduction of voter turnout, having many elections creates sense of fatigue among electoral.
Disadvantages:
- The canter’s initiative is viewed as being antithetical to the federal spirit as there has not been wider consultation with constituent states especially opposition parties.
- Holding simultaneous elections require large scale purchase of electronic voting machines (EVM) and VVPAT machines.
- Frequency of elections at different layers also help in increasing accountability as elected representatives and parties remain on their toes.
Legal and constitutional issues:
Simultaneous elections would require a complex and lengthy legal process to implement
At least five articles in the constitution shall need amendment, they are article 83(2) and 85(2) related to the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Article 172(1) and 174(2) which provide for the duration and dissolution of state assemblies.
These provisions need to be repealed. However, such amendments need not only the two third support of the members of both house of the parliament but also ratification by at least half of the states under article 368