India proposes holding simultaneous mega polls

AFP | India
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday introduced a parliamentary bill proposing synchronized state and national elections, a move that would transform what is already the world's largest democratic exercise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP argue that the "One Nation, One Election" bill would reduce costs and streamline the electoral process.

India's general elections earlier this year, which saw Modi secure a third term, stretched over six weeks. The logistical operation covered an electorate of 968 million and required election officials to travel by foot, road, trains, helicopters, boats, and even camels and elephants to reach remote polling stations.

Currently, elections for state assemblies are held separately from national elections, often at different times. Many Indian states have populations larger than most countries.

The bill proposes aligning the election cycles of the national parliament in New Delhi with state assemblies, the justice ministry said in a statement.

“By synchronizing these electoral timelines, the approach aims to address logistical challenges, reduce costs, and minimize disruptions caused by frequent elections,” the ministry added.

The bill envisions voters casting their ballots for both state and national governments on the same day in their constituencies, though voting could still be phased across the country.

With a population of 1.4 billion, India's national elections are already the largest democratic exercise in history. Synchronizing state and national polls would further amplify the scale and complexity of the process.