‘Simultaneous Elections’ is defined as structuring the Indian election cycle in a manner such that elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are synchronized together.

Indian polity is perennially in an election mode. On an average 5-7 Assembly elections happen every year. Such frequent electoral cycles end up negatively impacting administrative and developmental activities in the poll-bound states and impacts the larger governance process in general. There is a serious need to evolve a mechanism to end this frequent cycle of elections. When an Institutional has to take on the work of others, as the institutions have neglected their duties, Courts has to step in. This has yielded in several Statutory Results.

The Commission noted that simultaneous elections cannot be held within the existing framework of the Constitution.  Simultaneous elections may be conducted to Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies through appropriate amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.  The Commission also suggested that at least 50% of the states should ratify the constitutional amendments.

Brief Review of Urges Are:-

The key problem is that the Parliamentary System and the Electoral System from which it springs are fragmenting the electorate.

On the other hand, the system is not yielding persons who have the competence, dedication and integrity to govern the billion people. Correspondingly, we should devise ways which improve the chances of getting a better type to man to execute.

Thereafter, we should built, the balance away from Legislatures towards the Executive. We should seek to secure accountability through Institutions other than Legislatures. In particular, we should strengthen the powers and Role of our Judiciary System.

Ultimately, our Legislatures have to be understood the Rules and Regulations have to be made powerful under the Constitution for our Judiciary System for the welfare of people who are residing in India.

Constitutional Basis of Simultaneous Elections:-

Niti Ayog defined ‘Simultaneous Elections’ as “Structuring the Indian election cycle in a manner that elections to Loksabha and State Assemblies are synchronized together.”

Simultaneous Elections were held in 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. The cycle was disrupted due to premature dissolution of assemblies, in 1970. Loksabha, too, was dissolved early. The Election Commission has suggested as early as 1983 that a system should be evolved so that elections to Loksabha and State Legislature Assemblies could be held simultaneously.

Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy headed in Law Commission said in its 170th report in May 1999 that: “We must go back to the situation where the elections to Loksabha and all the Legislative Assemblies are held at once”

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