Responding to a suggestion from some committee members to revert to ballot paper voting, the ministry asserted in its written reply that such discussions are "out of scope" for the committee, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Joint Committee Limited to Simultaneous Polls Legislation
The Joint Committee’s mandate strictly involves assessing two specific pieces of legislation: the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, which seeks to establish a legal framework for conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, which aims to synchronize election cycles in Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir—union territories with legislative assemblies.While the Law Ministry's Legislative Department extensively addressed various questions posed by the committee, it refrained from directly commenting on the ballot paper system suggestion, reiterating that the panel’s scope does not include the mode of voting.
Government and Supreme Court Firm on EVM Usage
The Centre has consistently opposed reverting to ballot paper voting, a stance that has received strong backing from the Supreme Court. The apex court recently dismissed petitions advocating a return to ballot papers, declaring concerns about potential Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering as "unfounded."Historical Context of Simultaneous Elections
Highlighting historical precedents, the Law Ministry noted that simultaneous elections are neither undemocratic nor detrimental to India's federal structure. It cited historical instances when elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were successfully held concurrently between 1951 and 1967.This synchronized electoral cycle continued uninterrupted for four consecutive general elections (1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967), only to be disrupted in subsequent years due to premature dissolutions and imposition of President’s rule in various states. For instance, early dissolutions in 1968 and 1969 significantly disrupted the established cycle.
Impact of Disrupted Election Cycles
The ministry pointed out that the practice of premature dissolutions and extensions of legislative terms has become a recurring issue, resulting in the staggered election schedules prevalent today.According to the government explainer, only a handful of Lok Sabha terms, such as the 8th, 10th, 14th, and 15th Lok Sabha, completed their full five-year tenure. The remaining terms, including the 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, and 13th Lok Sabha, were prematurely dissolved.
State legislative assemblies have experienced similar interruptions, further contributing to an uneven electoral calendar.
'One Nation, One Election' for Improved Governance
Citing the recommendations from the high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the government emphasized the benefits of simultaneous elections, notably in improving governance. It argued that frequent elections cause political parties, lawmakers, and governments at both the central and state levels to prioritize electoral strategies over governance and policy implementation.By returning to a synchronized electoral cycle, the government believes it can foster consistent governance, minimize election-driven distractions, and ensure sustained focus on development.