'One Nation, One Election' saves costs, but political consensus not easy to achieve: Ex-CEC Chawla
Navin Chawla has said that the idea of 'One Nation, One Election' can substantially reduce poll expenditure, but achieving that goal will require wide political consultation and constitutional changes, which are not easy. In an article for Manorama Yearbook 2024, Chawla said, «the raison d'etre» behind the move is to reduce the cost of elections as well the frequency of the imposition of the model code of conduct by the Election Commission, which some political parties accuse of impeding development work.
«However, 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE) will necessitate wide political consultation and major Constitutional changes, which are not easy to achieve,» he was quoted as saying in a release issued by Malayala Manorama here on Wednesday.
Chawla, who was India's 16th CEC, pointed out that the six-day special session of Parliament held in September 2023 and the setting up of a committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind have once again brought into focus the issue of simultaneous elections.
Pointing out that the issue has been hanging fire for years, he said it needs to be examined from the perspectives of the Election Commission of India (ECI), parliamentarians, legislators and voters.
From the ECI's point of view, the implementation of ONOE is technically feasible.
«After all, the number of voters would remain the same, but the logistics would go up dramatically. At least two-thirds more EVMs/VVPATs (voter verifiable paper audit trail) would have to be manufactured because these are not available off the shelf,» he said.
Another critical issue will be the number of poll staff, which would go up considerably, and their training to ensure procedures are followed correctly.
Further, the requisite manpower
