Former CEC Quraishi Raises Concerns Over Simultaneous Elections Proposal
Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has issued a significant warning regarding the proposal for simultaneous elections across India, suggesting it could have serious implications for the country's democratic framework.
Democratic Accountability at Risk
Speaking at the Vadodara Literature Fest 4.0, organized by Parul University, Quraishi expressed concerns that holding elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies simultaneously could dilute democratic accountability. He emphasized that such a move might undermine the federal character of the government, which is fundamental to India's political structure.
Administrative Convenience Versus Democratic Principles
While acknowledging that synchronized elections could offer administrative convenience to the Election Commission, Quraishi highlighted the potential risks. "From the election commission's perspective, it is the easiest thing to do — the voter is the same, polling stations are the same and security requirements are similar," he noted. However, he cautioned that this convenience comes at a cost to democratic principles.
Marginalization of Regional Issues
Quraishi pointed out that simultaneous elections risk marginalizing regional issues and state-level political discourse. "The larger concern is the reduced mind-share for state-level parties and local issues," he explained. This could lead to national issues dominating the electoral narrative, overshadowing the specific concerns of states and local bodies.
Impact on Federal Structure
The former election commissioner stressed that the federal character of the Indian government might be compromised if elections are held simultaneously. He argued that separate elections allow for a more nuanced political process, where regional parties and local issues receive adequate attention, thereby strengthening democratic accountability.
Quraishi's remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to synchronize elections across different levels of government. His insights highlight the need for a balanced approach that considers both administrative efficiency and the preservation of democratic values.
