Topic– Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
2) Critically analyze the idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies in India. (250 words)
Why this question
Although the issue has been in news for a long time and has been sufficiently discussed in earlier questions, in the wake of increased voices in favour of simultaneous polls, and also that the law commission has recently submitted its report, it is necessary to revisit the issue and deliberate upon it.
Directive word
Critically analyze- Here we have to dig deep into the issue and identify and discuss about all the related and important aspects and correlate them to satisfy the key demand of the question. Based on our discussion we have to form our opinion on the overall issue.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to delve deep into the idea of holding simultaneous elections in India and bring out the positive aspects as well as negative aspects of it. We also have to discuss the legal and technical/ logistical feasibility of such an exercise. Based on our discussion we have to form a personal opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few lines about simultaneous elections in India- e.g simultaneous elections were held upto 1967 and the present discussion does not include the third tier of government.
Body–
- Discuss the positive points of holding simultaneous elections for lok sabha and state assemblies. E.g less expenditure on elections- more time for focussing on development issues; lessening of political appeasement as well as aggression etc.
- Discuss the negative implications. E.g link of elections with pace of development, social welfare measures especially for the poor, mixing of national and local issues, promoting efficiency over democracy etc.
- Discuss what needs to be done in this regard- technically/ logistically as well as legally. Discuss the changes that need to be made in the law and mention the need for increased number of EVMs and VVPATs etc.
Conclusion- Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
