The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) has strongly opposed the ‘One Nation One Election’ (ONOE) concept stating that it “would invariably defeat the spirit of Federal Structure because India being a Union of States with Federal Structure it is a direct assault on the very essence and fabric of the Democratic features.”
In a letter addressed to Dr. Niten Chandra Secretary High Level Committee-One Nation, One Election, on January 15, by Apong Pongener, President-NPF, and Achumbemo Kikon, MLA & Secretary General-NPF on behalf of the regional party stated the notion of ONOE is detrimental to India as a developing nation which has earned a name in the comity of nations as a country of unity in diversity, and with new states being created in recent years based on linguistic or political diversity.
“India is one of most diverse countries in the world and the idea of homogeneity or a- one size-fits all will be only a wishful thinking and it will be repulsive as well,” asserted the NPF.
The NPF emphasised the significance of regional political parties in addressing local issues and maintaining cultural identity. The need for balance between national and regional interests for a robust democratic process, ensuring effective governance at both levels was further highlighted.
“One of the fundamental objectives of the regional political parties is to effectively protect and defend the distinct identity, culture, tradition, customary and religious practices of its people which in turn attract and inspire its citizens particularly the poor local people at the grass-root to take interests in the electoral process. Hence, the number of voters turn up and voting percentage would drastically reduced if the theory of-ONOE is propounded thereby the much acclaimed celebration of Indian democracy which is normally measured from the voters turn up point of view would speedily erode and it will be a thing of the past,” mentioned the letter.
While an agenda of the ONOE is the reduction of expenditure in the conduct of the elections, the NPF viewed that election related expenditure reduction measures cannot be adopted at the cost of Federalism. The party was mentioned that ONOE will hardly make any difference in reducing the election related expenditures. “There is always a scope to amend the Representation of Peoples Act by way of incorporating stringent measures in regulating the overall election expenditures. As of today, the election related expenditures do not burden much on the country’s economy as the figure shows that the overall election expenditure amounts to approximately 0.33% of the GDP and for a country i.e. (India) whose GDP is about Rs. 300 Lakh Cr., the cost is not too much. In addition to this, the expenditures on subsidies, freebies etc. offer to attract voters by the Political Parties are also estimated to cost only 1-2% of the GDP which is also projected as not too much, rather reasonable,” stated the letter.
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The party further opined that If ONOE is to be introduced, overhauling of the Indian Constitution will be necessitated and most probably end up in adopting a system of LPPR. This adoption, according to NPF, is too abstruse for the Indian masses as majority of the Indian population lives in the villages. “As a matter of fact, a system which is applicable in other countries particularly European countries will be far-fetch for the Indian electorates till India becomes fully developed nation,” added the letter.
The NPF expressed concern that the ONOE will diminish the relevance of the regional political parties as national agendas will overshadow regional and local issues. “Over and above, the National Political Parties would take upper hand by using all sorts of tantalizing propaganda with an intention to hammer the Regional Political Parties and ultimately leads to One Party Rule which is akin to communist type of government that will only invite chaos and confusion in the Indian polity as it will be a direct threat to Indian democracy,” expressed the letter.
The regional party was also of the conviction that the use of money power and misuse of government machineries will be rampant during election by the National Political Parties to wrestle power if simultaneous election is held for both parliamentary and state assembly. This, according to NPF, will definitely vitiate the atmosphere of free and fair election as well which will be another bigger threat to Indian democracy.
“The NPF strongly object simultaneous election of Lok Sabha and State Assembly and do not subscribe the concept of-One Nation, One Election,” concluded the party.
