Lok Sabha Study Guide - FOC MUN 2023

GLS UNIVERSITY
FOC MUN 2023
LOK SABHA
Study Guide
Agenda:
One nation, one election: hoax or a massive improvement plan for India?
1
Letter from the Executive Board:
Dear Delegates,
It gives us immense delight to welcome you to GLS University's FOC MUN 2023
Lok Sabha simulation. To have a successful conversation on a pertinent, global
issue, we anticipate that all members will actively participate in the committee's
deliberations. It is essential for the members to remain vigilant and properly
involved. Each committee member has an important role to play, so we anticipate
that they will all be well-researched. As representatives of their respective political
parties, members must arrive at the conference with a clear and decisive party
policy.
We expect the committee to conduct itself diplomatically and with appropriate

decorum. Although we anticipate that you are familiar with the policies and
processes, the committee will address any concerns.
Please bear in mind that this background material is only intended to provide the
delegates with a basic understanding of the topic so that additional study may be
built upon it; as such, it cannot be used as evidence in the committee.
Research thoroughly, and may the force be with you as you look forward to a
top-notch discussion and a memorable experience in committee.
Regards,
2
What is the electoral procedure currently adopted by India?
Elections in India are held for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the State Legislative
Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha), and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). Elections are
conducted as per the Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament. Article 324 of the
Indian Constitution explains the provision of an election commission in India. Currently,
elections to the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha are held separately—that is, whenever
the incumbent government’s five-year term ends or it is dissolved for various reasons.
This applies to both the state legislatures and the Lok Sabha. The terms of the Legislative
Assembly and the Lok Sabha may not synchronize with one another.
What changes does the ONOE (One Nation, One Election) scheme plan
to bring?
The idea of "One Nation, One Election" envisages a system where elections to all states
and the Lok Sabha will have to be held simultaneously. This will involve the
restructuring of the Indian election cycle in a manner that elections to the states and the
center synchronize. This would mean that the voters will cast their vote for electing
members of the LS and the state assemblies on a single day, at the same time (or in a
phased manner, as the case may be).
Background of the One Nation One Election Reform:

Simultaneous elections are not new to India. They were the norm until 1967. But
following the dissolution of some legislative assemblies in 1968 and 1969 and that of the
Lok Sabha in December 1970, elections to state assemblies and parliament have been
held separately. The idea of reverting to simultaneous polls was mooted in the 1983
annual report of the Election Commission. The Law Commission’s Report also referred
to it in 1999. The most recent push came in the BJP manifesto ahead of the 2014 Lok
Sabha elections.After Mr. Modi floated the idea once again in 2016, the Niti Aayog
prepared a working paper on the subject in January 2017.
In the working paper that the Law Commission brought out in April 2018, it said that at
least "five constitutional recommendations" would be required to get this off the ground.
The final decision on holding simultaneous elections is yet to be taken.
3
How will it work?
There were two proposals to conduct simultaneous elections along with the 17th Lok
Sabha elections. However, both did not materialize.
● One proposal was to make the shift to simultaneous polls in a phased manner,
where general elections, 12 state assemblies (which by themselves face elections
in late 2018 or 2019), and a union territory may be synchronized in 2019, as the
rest of the states are in the middle of their five-year terms. These 12 states were
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Haryana,
Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Rajasthan.
In 2019, elections will be held in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (a Union
Territory with a Legislature).
For such a synchronization to happen, besides political consensus and the

extension of the term up to six months in some states, amendments to the
Constitution have to be made. Elections to the remaining state legislative
assemblies and the Union Territory with a legislature (Puducherry) will be
synchronized by the end of 2021.
Thereafter, elections to the Lok Sabha and all the state legislative assemblies and
union territories with legislatures will be held simultaneously starting in 2024.
● The second option involved synchronization in two batches. First, elections to the
12 state legislative assemblies and one union territory would be synchronized with
elections to the Lok Sabha in 2019.
Next, elections to the remaining state legislative assemblies will be synchronized

with those of one union territory by the end of 2021. This makes elections across
the country synchronized in such a manner that they will be held twice every five
years.
4
Why is it opposed by some?
Elections were simultaneous when the Constitution was adopted and were segregated
after the "misuse of Article 356" by the central government. Article 356, also known as
the President's Rule, deals with the "failure of constitutional machinery in the State."
Holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections together would mean "tampering with
the constitutional scheme of accountability of the government to the legislature."
1. The NITI Aayog's proposal to implement the President's Rule if the Lok Sabha is
dissolved and less time is left for the next elections sounds absurd to some in the
sense of a democracy, saying that this proposal will make the President the head of
the executive and pave way for an executive presidency through the back door.
2. One of the basic tenets of parliamentary democracy is that a government that
enjoys popular support has the right to govern until it dissolves itself or loses
popular support. The idea of holding simultaneous elections does not necessarily
adhere to this tenet. There will be cases where governments elected through
simultaneous elections might either lose popular support or be dissolved mid-term.
If a state government loses its majority mid-term, then the Governor, acting on
behalf of the President of India, will be compelled to ask other parties or coalitions
to form a government, as the option of re-election is unavailable. If the attempt to
form a government fails, then the state will have to be governed via the president’s
rule under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution until the next elections. That is,
on the face of it, anti-democratic.
3. The draft report of the Law Commission of India on Simultaneous Elections from
2018 notes that the existing framework of the Constitution does not permit
simultaneous elections and states that conducting elections in such a manner
would require substantial amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of
the People Act, and the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and state legislatures.
To bring about simultaneous elections to Parliament and state assemblies, there
will have to be a major constitutional overhaul. There will have to be amendments
to the Constitution in Article 83 (duration of the House), Article 85 (dissolution of
the Lok Sabha), Article 172 (duration of state legislatures), Article 174
(dissolution of state legislatures), and Article 356 (failure of the constitutional
machinery), apart from amendments to the Representation of the People Act and
other rules.
5
Why do some accede to it?
While the opposition bases its arguments solely on constitutional technicalities, the pros
outweigh the cons on the scale for a layperson.
1. The greatest rationale in support of the simultaneous election is the saving of

government money. If the country goes for "One Nation, One Election," it will
save enormous amounts of money. The 31 states and UTs have 4120 MLAs, and
the use limit for assembly elections is Rs. 28 lakhs.It implies that the absolute
expense would be somewhere around Rs. 11 billion. Each year, approximately five
states go to the polls.The idea therefore promises a cutting of expenditure on
elections, which is significant considering its context in a country like India where
elections involve an astronomical amount of money.
2. Conducting one election all over the country at the same time would save a large
amount of time. Further, this time is beneficial for the nation’s developmental
projects. In other words, politicians spend half the year making policies for
elections in one or another state. On the other hand, from a common man’s point
of view, it would be time-saving for people if they cast both votes together.
3. Check on Black Money: It is an open secret that elections are fought with black
money. During the country's elections, a large amount of black money was
converted into white money. So if the elections are conducted throughout the year,
then there is a possibility that a parallel economy will grow in the country.
General guidelines for delegates
● An authentic ID will be mandatory at the time of on-campus registration.

● The modes of communication in the Lok Sabha committee will be English and
Hindi.
● The delegates are requested to undertake thorough research and come well
prepared for the event. The aim of every delegate should be to contribute to
making the discussion fruitful.
● No inappropriate behavior or foul language will be tolerated, and it will lead to
direct disqualification.
● The decisions of the executive board will be final and binding.
6
Reference Material:-
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/one-nation-one-election/article28073916.ece
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/one-nation-one-election-burden-
of-too-many-polls-political-appetite-not-hedging-is-answer/articleshow/90766937.cms
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/one-nation-one-election-is-for-legislatu
re-to-decide-cec-rajiv-kumar-122111000120_1.html
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/04/19/sansad-tv-perspective-one-nation-one-election/

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GLS UNIVERSITY

FOC MUN 2023

We expect the committee to conduct itself diplomatically and with appropriate

Background of the One Nation One Election Reform:

For such a synchronization to happen, besides political consensus and the

Next, elections to the remaining state legislative assemblies will be synchronized

1. The greatest rationale in support of the simultaneous election is the saving of

General guidelines for delegates

● An authentic ID will be mandatory at the time of on-campus registration.

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