In a groundbreaking move, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has submitted a comprehensive set of suggestions to the High-Level Committee, advocating for the implementation of “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE). This initiative, spearheaded by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, aims to synchronize the electoral processes of central and state governments, proposing a series of legal and administrative reforms to facilitate this significant transition.
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The BCI’s recommendations are extensive, covering various aspects necessary for the successful execution of simultaneous elections across the nation. These include:
- Constitutional Amendment: The BCI stresses the need for amending the Indian Constitution to align the tenures of state assemblies with the Lok Sabha. This would involve modifications to critical articles such as Article 83, 85, Article 172, 174, and 356, ensuring the terms of state legislatures coincide with those of the Lok Sabha.
- Empowerment of the Election Commission: Recognizing the logistical challenges, the BCI suggests enhancing the resources and authority of the Election Commission of India. This may include a potential restructuring to better manage the complexities of simultaneous elections.
- Revising Electoral Laws: Amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and other electoral statutes are deemed crucial. The BCI proposes changes to establish coordinated polling schedules, uniform campaign periods, and expenditure limits for both parliamentary and state elections.
- Political Funding Reforms: The BCI calls for significant reforms in political funding and campaign finance laws to ensure fair and transparent electoral practices.
- Administrative Preparedness: The BCI emphasizes the need for comprehensive administrative readiness, advocating meticulous coordination between Union and state governments for various logistical aspects of elections.
- Public Awareness and Voter Education: The BCI highlights the importance of extensive public awareness initiatives and voter education campaigns to ensure high voter turnout and an informed electorate.
The BCI also outlined several advantages of implementing “One Nation, One Election”, including cost-efficiency, administrative efficiency, continuous governance, voter convenience, decentralization of power, and a greater focus on policy.
In their letter, the BCI stated,
“The advantages of simultaneous elections encompass financial efficiency, streamlined administration, stable governance, voter convenience, empowerment of regional parties, greater policy focus, and a reduction in security concerns. The consolidation of electoral events emerges as a multifaceted solution to several challenges inherent in the current staggered election system.”
Furthermore, the BCI acknowledged the constitutional challenges that “One Nation, One Election” might face. It proposed measures to address potential issues such as the overemphasis on national issues, the influence of national trends, and the need for regional autonomy.
In conclusion, the BCI asserted that the vision of “One Nation, One Election” holds immense potential for the nation, offering advantages that can significantly contribute to the overall progress and coherence of the electoral system. This initiative marks a pivotal step towards streamlining India’s electoral process, potentially transforming the political landscape of the country.