New Delhi: NDA partner Goa Forward Party has given thumbs down to the idea of holding simultenous Parliamentary and State elections across the country.
GFP President Vijai Sardesai in written communication to Law Commission ahead of crucial meeting tomorrow has said that such an action is totally against the spirit of federalism.
“Notwithstanding nominal benefits, the proposal for simultaneous elections will be totally against the spirit of federalism, which is a fundamental feature of our Constitution.”
Sardesai said that simultaneous elections are unfavourable to the legitimate regional aspirations of the citizens of the nation.
“On the contrary, continuous elections ensure greater accountability, as even though a central government or a state government is elected for a term of five years, the performance of the government comes under the scrutiny of the electorate during elections in other states,” he said.
Sardesai has said that though the arguments for the move to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures opine that it will ensure consistency and continuity and that it will reduce corruption and the burden on the administrative machinery’s resources, both financial and manpower, there are quite a few valid contentions to the contrary.
“First of all, holding of simultaneous elections would go against the spirit of federalism, which is a core feature of the Indian Constitution,” he explained.
Sardesai, who is Agriculture minister in Manohar Parrikar-led cabinet, said that it would require major amendments to the Constitution, which clearly states that, unless sooner dissolved, both the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures shall continue for 5 years from the date of the first meeting, and no longer.
“Hence while there is provision for dissolution of the houses before expiry of the term, there is no provision for prolonging the term of the houses for any reason,” he added.
Sardesai has questioned that if, after simultaneous elections, any government, either at the centre or in a state, were voted out before expiry of the full term on a no-confidence motion, what would be the consequences.
“If the central government loses its majority in the Lok Sabha, and a new government is not able to be formed, would elections to all states be called for again with the Lok Sabha elections? Or, as suggested in certain reports and at certain fora, would the President govern the country for the remainder of the term, thus bringing in an executive Presidency till the next round of elections?,” he questioned.
The GFP has said that the Constitution does not enshrine any fixed tenure either for the Lok Sabha or the State Legislature. “Fresh elections to any of these houses should be held in cases where no government is able to be formed, so that the will of the people prevails through their elected representatives,” he said.
Sardesai said that it is also a fact that fixing these tenures to 5 years would decrease the accountability of legislators for the entire term as it is the prospect of facing elections that keeps legislators on their toes.
