26 September 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The misplaced move of ‘one nation one election’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

The article discusses the proposal of simultaneous elections in India, examining its political, constitutional, and financial implications. It critiques the impact on federalism, savings in election expenses, and the effects of frequent elections on accountability and development.It also highlights challenges in passing the necessary constitutional amendments.

Introduction to Simultaneous Elections

• The idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies was proposed by the Prime Minister of India.
• Frequent elections across various states kept him on the campaign trail, potentially triggering this idea.
• A high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind was formed to explore this concept, including several key political and legal figures.
• The committee submitted its report in March, making it public before the 2024 general election.
• Simultaneous elections were part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election manifesto but did not receive overwhelming voter endorsement due to the absence of a majority.

Recommendation of the High-Level Committee

• The Union Cabinet approved the recommendation, making simultaneous elections a nearly actionable policy.
• In the first phase, Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections will be conducted simultaneously, with local body elections following within 100 days.
• The key constitutional amendment proposed involves the tenure of Assemblies, which will lose their fixed five-year terms to synchronise with the Lok Sabha.

Challenges in Passing the Amendment Bill

• For the bill to pass, it requires a special majority, which is the support of two-thirds of members present and voting.
• With 362 votes required and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holding around 292 members, the government faces a significant shortfall.
• Opposition parties are largely opposed to the ‘one nation one election’ concept, making it challenging for the ruling party to gather the necessary support.

Argument for Savings in Election Expenses

• One of the main arguments for simultaneous elections is the potential savings in election expenses.
• The budget allocation for the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the 2024 general election was ₹466 crore, which is not a large amount compared to other government expenditures.
• State governments also incur election-related expenses, but overall costs are not considered enormous.
• The argument that political party expenses will be saved is weak, as there is no evidence that saved money would be redirected to infrastructure projects.
• Simultaneous elections were held from 1951 to 1967, but there is no historical proof of political parties using saved election funds for development.

The Model Code of Conduct Argument

• Another argument is that frequent elections disrupt development due to the model code of conduct being enforced during election periods.
• However, no empirical evidence supports the claim that frequent elections have slowed developmental progress.
• Notably, large policy decisions like demonetization were implemented despite impending elections.

Impact on Federalism

• The proposal to curtail the tenure of State Assemblies undermines the federal structure of India.
• Under the Constitution, State Assemblies are autonomous and their tenure is independent of the Lok Sabha.
• The Supreme Court’s Kesavananda Bharati judgement emphasised that federalism is part of India’s basic structure, which cannot be altered.
• Forcing synchrony between state and central elections could lead to some Assemblies having much shorter terms, contradicting the federal principle.

Benefits of Frequent Elections

• Frequent elections ensure elected representatives remain accountable to the people and stay connected with their constituencies.
• Elections held once every five years could lead to representatives becoming disconnected and complacent.
• Regular elections also provide feedback to governments, allowing them to make mid-term corrections based on voter sentiment.

Conclusion

• Simultaneous elections could disturb India’s federal balance and are not a pressing issue for ordinary citizens.
• The risks and challenges associated with this policy outweigh its perceived benefits.

PYQ: ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2017)

Practice Question:  Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of implementing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies in India. How might this impact the federal structure and political accountability? (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Taking stock of global nuclear disarmament

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

The article focuses on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), its significance, and the global divide over nuclear disarmament. It emphasises the role of nuclear-armed states, particularly India, in shaping the future of nuclear deterrence and disarmament efforts amid rising global tensions and security concerns.

Introduction

• September 26 marks the United Nations’ International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
• The 2024 UN General Assembly agenda includes discussions on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), also known as the Ban Treaty.
• The session will be crucial in evaluating the status of global nuclear disarmament amid divisions related to the Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine conflict, and climate change.

Importance of India’s Response

• Nuclear weapons possession and threats impact global divisions, making the responses of nuclear states, including India, to TPNW discussions significant.
• A positive response may boost the treaty’s goal of total nuclear disarmament, while undermining it could further entrench nuclear weapons in global security strategies.

The Ban Treaty: Overview

• The TPNW, which came into force in 2021, differs from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) by comprehensively banning all nuclear weapon-related activities, including testing, production, stockpiling, and deterrence.
• Unlike the NPT, which primarily focuses on non-proliferation with a promise to consider disarmament, the TPNW targets total elimination of nuclear weapons.
• The TPNW emerged from humanitarian initiatives concerned with the devastating impacts of nuclear weapons on people and the environment.

Opposition and Persistent Objectors

• The TPNW was adopted without participation from nuclear-armed states and their allies, such as the U.S., Russia, and China, who view the treaty as impractical.
• These states are considered persistent objectors, meaning they are not legally bound by the treaty.
• Despite their opposition, some NATO allies are reconsidering their stance, with former officials and leaders urging their countries to join the TPNW to treat nuclear weapons like chemical and biological weapons.

Support for the Ban Treaty

• As of July 2024, the TPNW had 70 ratified states parties and 27 signatories awaiting ratification, amounting to nearly 50% of the global states committed to curbing weapons of mass destruction.
• This significant support reflects the growing pressure to challenge traditional beliefs about nuclear deterrence.

India’s Position on the TPNW

• India, which has not signed the NPT, perceives the treaty as discriminatory but has benefited from its non-proliferation measures.
• Similarly, India could choose to remain outside the TPNW without actively opposing it, as it has done with the NPT.

Potential and Challenges of the TPNW

• The TPNW lacks a robust enforcement mechanism but holds normative potential in delegitimizing nuclear weapons.
• Over time, the treaty could relegate nuclear weapons to the same status as chemical and biological weapons, making the world safer.
• While this process will not yield immediate results, the TPNW may spark important discussions about the effectiveness of nuclear weapons in global security.

Conclusion

• The TPNW offers a pathway to initiate dialogue on the future of nuclear weapons, and its success could lead to a safer, nuclear-free world.
• However, its impact depends on how non-signatory states engage with the treaty, with the potential to shift global nuclear norms gradually.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in the context of global nuclear disarmament. How do geopolitical tensions and nuclear deterrence impact India’s stance on such treaties? (150 Words /10 marks)