Context :
( ET / 01 Sept 2023
)
Extract :
In an important move
that could potentially reshape India's electoral landscape, the Modi-led Union
government, has formed a panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to
explore the possibility of "one nation, one election".
Assembly elections are
scheduled for five states in November-December, followed by Lok Sabha elections
in May-June of following year.
The concept of 'One
Nation, One Election' centers around the idea of conducting simultaneous
elections throughout the country for both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This
means holding elections for both the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies
simultaneously, with voting likely taking place concurrently.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long advocated
for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
At present, elections for state assemblies and
the Lok Sabha occur separately – either at the end of a five-year term for the
incumbent government or in the event of dissolution due to various factors.
What are the Benefits of Holding
Simultaneous Elections
A primary argument for
holding joint polls is that it can save considerable amount of money spent on conducting separate polls
of state assemblies and Lok Sabha.
As per some reports, a
staggering sum of approximately Rs 60,000 crore was
spent during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This figure encompasses expenses incurred by political parties engaged
in the electoral process and the Election Commission of India's costs in organising
the elections
Administrative expenses:
Because of election
duty and related labour, government machinery misses out on their regular
obligations during each election. These millions of man-hours
are not accounted for in the election
budget.
Policy gridlock:
Furthermore, proponents of synchronised elections suggest that administrative efficiency across the nation could improve, as the customary slowdown during polling periods would be minimised.
Routine administrative
functions often face disruptions due to election-related duties undertaken by
officials.
The Model Code of
Conduct (MCC) impacts government functionaries, as no new substantial policy can be declared
or implemented after the elections are called.
Continuity in policy
implementation between central and state governments is also anticipated, as simultaneous
elections could eliminate the need for the Model Code of Conduct, which temporarily
halts the launch of new public
welfare projects during election periods.
Higher voter turnout:
Simultaneous elections could potentially lead to higher voter turnout, as casting votes would be more convenient for citizens when conducted together.
Challenges and Concerns
However, the prospect
of simultaneous elections necessitates constitutional amendments to align state
legislative assembly terms with the Lok Sabha's duration. Amendments to the
Representation of the People Act and other parliamentary processes would also be
essential.
Simultaneous elections
would require unilaterally shortening or extending the terms of current
legislatures in order to align their election dates with the due date for the
rest of the country.
Some argue that
imposing simultaneous elections is against the spirit of democracy because it
attempts to impose an artificial cycle of elections while limiting voters'
options.
Critics, notably
regional parties, express reservations about the dominance of national issues
overshadowing local concerns during simultaneous elections. They also cite the
potential inability to match the election strategies and expenditures of
national parties.
Research conducted by
the IDFC Institute said that if elections are held at six-month intervals,
there's a 77 percent likelihood of voters favoring the same political party or
alliance for both state assemblies and the Lok Sabha. This figure drops to 61
percent if elections are held six months apart.
Support and Opposition
The notion of
simultaneous elections was commonplace in India until 1967. Although it faded
due to early dissolutions of some legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha, the
Election Commission sought its revival in 1983, yet the government at the time
dismissed the idea. Subsequent efforts, including those in the 1999 Law
Commission report and the 2014 election manifesto of the BJP, have aimed to
reintroduce synchronized elections.
Prime Minister Modi
revived discussions on the topic in 2016, followed by the Niti Aayog's working
paper in the subsequent year. Despite preparedness expressed by the Election
Commission, implementing the idea would necessitate constitutional changes and
parliamentary decisions, as highlighted by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra
in 2022.
Related Readings :
India's govt contemplates 'One Nation, One
Election': Can Modi's ambitious reform be a reality?
One Nation, One Election: Govt could bring bill in
special session of Parliament ..
Govt names simultaneous polls panel; Adhir opts out
1
Nation, 1 Poll: Committee examines legal and constitutional challenges and
possibilities
My Take :
My
37 blogs on “ One Nation, One Election “(till 02 Sept 2023 )
My 10 YEAR old Proposal :
VotesApp ………. ………………..18 Aug 2013
Extract :
Here is a suggestion to IIT-Bombay, to develop a voting app , to be called VotesApp. Highlights of VotesApp :
Ø An Android app which can be downloaded from Google Play / Android Zoom /
GetJar and the official web
site of
Ø It will be pre-loaded on 220 million Aakash tablets which Govt of India plans to
distribute to
students
Ø It will also be pre-loaded on those Smart phones ( to be called, “ Dharati “ ? ),
which Govt of
India plans to
2014 National elections
Ø All tablet / smart phone
manufacturers will be encouraged to pre-load VotesApp
Ø Using this app , a voter can register at Election Commission web site, where
he will enter the same data
including Aadhar card number ( Unique Identification No )
Ø All of these details
will be verified by Aadhar database
Ø Obviously , those who have not obtained their Aadhar card , will not be able to
use VotesApp . They
will need to
Ø Upon correct verification , Aadhar Database will permanently link the person’s
Aadhar number with the mobile
issue a Password
An under aged person will not be allowed to register
Ø A person will be able to
vote only from that mobile number
Ø After login on first screen, user will be asked to select one option from >
Panchayat Election > Municipal
Sabha Election
Ø Upon selection, user will be presented with the list of candidates contesting , from
which , he can select only one
There will
be also a choice , labeled “ None “
Ø A long press on a candidate’s name will display details of his declared assets as
also his criminal record
Ø After ticking / selecting a candidate, voter will click on “ VOTE “ button,
whereupon his vote gets registered and
Ø Once a voter registers on Election Commission web site , he cannot go to a poling
booth and vote physically
Ø In less than one year , Govt of India will recover the cost of 220 million
Aakash
tablets and 400 million”
this customized / personalized / shrinking of EVMs ( Electronic Voting
Machines ) to a hand-held device.
And imagine the millions of man-hours saved !
Ø And the beauty is, no one can capture this booth , or conduct exit polls ! What will
“ experts “ discuss on TV
What next ? Election Commission “licensing “ this App to other countries ?
* hemen
parekh ( 18 Dec 2012 )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addition on 15
Dec 2015 :
Vote will get recorded only when that Voter takes a Selfie - which will get
matched automatically , with
===============================================
My Footnote ( dt 04 Sept 2023 ) :
> The news-report cited above mentions election expenses @ Rs 60,000 crore for
2019 Lok Sabha Elections alone . To that , add another Rs 60,000 crore for all the
state elections . That adds up to Rs 120,000 crores
> In my 2013 suggestion , I had suggested Central Government giving away for
FREE , 220 million ( 22 crore ) AKASH TABLETS + 400 million ( 40 crore ) Smart
Phones ( a total of 62 crore devices )
> Reliance Jio just announced launch of its 5G enabled Smart Phone , priced at
Rs 999 ( for ease of calculations , round off to Rs 1000
> That means , with Rs 120,000 crore ( election expenses saved ) , Govt can buy
120 Crore Smart Phones - and give away FREE to each of 90 Crore
voters ( - not necessarily Jio but open tender for all )
> These could be named VotesApp Devices - and cannot be used for any other
normal phone functions ( hard coded only for voting and e-governance Apps ).
> Just before the 5 year voting exercise , its software will get UP-GRADED ,
automatically
> Govt may consider this smartphone as a DEDICATED e-GOVERNANCE DEVICE
{ DeGD } and preload ALL govt services related Apps such as :
# UMANG
# COWIN
# AYUSHMAN ........etc
As per my custom , I asked BARD and ChatGPT , their views on my proposal of
mobile voting
app VotesApp
Following are their views :
BARD :
I think your proposal for a mobile app-based voting
system, VotesApp, is a very innovative and promising idea.
It has the potential to significantly
reduce the cost and complexity of conducting elections, while also
making the voting process more convenient and secure.
Here
are some of the technical challenges that would need to be addressed in order
to implement VotesApp:
·
Security: The system would need to be designed
to prevent voter fraud and hacking. This could be done by using blockchain technology or other
cryptographic techniques.
·
Privacy: The system would need to protect the
privacy of voters' ballots. This could be done by using blind signatures or other techniques.
·
Accessibility: The system would
need to be accessible to all voters, including those who do not have
smartphones or internet access. This could be done by providing access to the
system through public libraries, community centers, or other designated locations.
·
Scalability: The system would
need to be able to handle the large number of voters who would be using it.
This could be done by using cloud computing or
other scalable technologies.
I believe
that these challenges are surmountable, and that VotesApp has the
potential to be a major breakthrough in the way elections are conducted.
It is a bold
and ambitious proposal, but I think it is one that is worth pursuing.
Here
are some additional thoughts on the technical feasibility of VotesApp using blockchain
technology:
·
Blockchain is a
distributed ledger technology that can be used to record transactions in a secure and transparent way. This makes it a promising candidate for use in a voting system, as
it could help to prevent fraud and hacking.
·
There are a number of
blockchain platforms that could be used to develop VotesApp, such as Ethereum,
Hyperledger Fabric, and Corda. Each platform has its own strengths and
weaknesses, so it would need to be carefully evaluated before making a
decision.
·
The development of VotesApp would require a team of experts with experience in blockchain technology, voting systems, and
security. It would also be important to get input from election officials and
other stakeholders.
Overall,
I believe that VotesApp is a technically feasible concept that
has the potential to revolutionize the way elections are
conducted.
However,
it is important to carefully address the challenges involved before moving
forward with its development.
ChatGPT
:
Your proposal for VotesApp, which suggests
using a mobile app for conducting elections in India, seems to address some of
the advantages and challenges associated with the concept of "One Nation,
One Election."
Here are some comments on the technical
feasibility and implications of such an app:
Advantages:
1. Cost
Savings: Your proposal highlights
the potential cost savings associated with using a mobile app for voting. This could indeed reduce the expenses related to conducting physical
elections, such as the printing of ballots, transportation, and manpower.
2. Efficiency: Conducting elections through a mobile app could streamline the voting
process and make it more efficient. Voters could cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes,
reducing long queues and wait times at polling stations.
3. Verification: Integrating the app with Aadhar
database for voter verification can enhance the security of the voting process and help prevent voter fraud.
4. Accessibility: Pre-loading the app on
government-distributed tablets and smartphones could make it accessible to a
significant portion of the population, including those in rural areas.
5. Data
Analytics: The digital nature of the
voting process could enable
more comprehensive data analytics, which could be used for better understanding voter behavior and
preferences.
Challenges and Concerns:
1. Digital
Divide: While distributing
smartphones and tablets is a positive step, it may not reach all citizens,
particularly in remote or economically disadvantaged areas. This could
exacerbate the digital divide in the voting process.
2. Cybersecurity: Ensuring the security and integrity
of the mobile app and the voting process is paramount. Any vulnerabilities or
potential for hacking could undermine the trust in the system.
3. Privacy: Collecting and storing voter data
through the app raises concerns about privacy and data protection. Strong
encryption and data security measures would be necessary to address these
concerns.
4. Access Barriers: People without access to smartphones
or tablets or those who are not tech-savvy may face barriers in using the app. Ensuring
inclusivity is crucial.
5. Election Commission's Role: Implementing such a system would
require significant coordination and oversight from the Election Commission of
India, including ensuring the app's security, fairness, and accessibility.
6. Legal Framework: Developing a legal framework and
constitutional amendments, as mentioned in the article, would be essential to
facilitate the use of such an app for national elections.
7. User Authentication: While Aadhar integration could help
with voter verification, ensuring the app's user authentication is robust is
critical to prevent impersonation or unauthorized voting.
In summary, while the concept of VotesApp has the
potential to address some of the challenges associated with simultaneous
elections, it also presents its own set of technical, security, and
accessibility challenges. Implementing such a system would require careful
planning, robust cybersecurity measures, and legal changes to ensure a fair and
inclusive electoral process. Additionally, addressing concerns related to
privacy and data protection is crucial to gaining public trust in such a
system.
With regards
Hemen Parekh
www.hemenparekh.ai /
04 Sept 2023
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