One State, One Election!
The government is preparing to hold municipal and panchayat elections simultaneously in Chhattisgarh.

Raipur

On August 15, 2024, while addressing the nation from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the concept of “One Nation, One Election.” He emphasized that the country needs to move forward with this idea, as frequent elections pose obstacles to progress. The Prime Minister pointed out that it has become easy to link any scheme or issue with elections because elections are held every three to six months. The entire process of governance is often overshadowed by the election cycle. He urged political parties and constitutional experts to come forward in support of “One Nation, One Election” to ensure the country’s progress and to make the best use of resources for the public’s benefit. A high-level committee formed by the government has submitted its report to the President, suggesting that “One Nation, One Election” might soon be implemented in the country.

Before that, however, the Chhattisgarh government under Vishnudeo Sai is reportedly initiating preparations to implement “One State, One Election.” This could start with holding municipal and panchayat elections simultaneously by the end of this year.

Suggestions have been sought from the general public through email. The government has formed a committee chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Richa Sharma, which must submit its report within 15 days based on three key points. The format for submitting suggestions can be downloaded from the General Administration Department’s website. The government has emphasized that holding elections simultaneously will save financial and human resources. Notably, a non-governmental resolution was discussed in the assembly regarding holding municipal and panchayat elections together. During a recent visit to New Delhi, Chief Minister Sai was advised in a meeting with MPs that the municipal and panchayat elections, which are typically held within a few months of each other, should be conducted together. The government has now invited suggestions from the public on holding municipal and three-tier panchayat elections together. Suggestions can be sent to the General Administration Department via email at SLE-LocalEle2024@cg.gov.in.

\Suggestions Invited Until August 17
Chhattisgarh has 184 municipalities and 11,777 three-tier panchayats. During the last monsoon session of the assembly, MLA and former minister Rajesh Munat introduced a non-governmental resolution. It was assured in the House that a committee would be formed to explore this possibility. For this, a recommendation committee has now been formed. Meanwhile, six new districts have been created in the state, and decisions regarding elections in these areas may be made later. The General Administration Department has started discussions on this matter and issued a general notice asking Chhattisgarh residents to provide their valuable suggestions by August 17. People can submit their written suggestions in the prescribed format via email at sle-localelec2024@cg.gov.in by August 17, 2024. The prescribed format can be downloaded from the General Administration Department’s website, http://www.gad.cg.gov.in. The state-level committee will then review the suggestions received and submit a report with recommendations to the government. In fact, the first two years of any government in the state are often spent on elections.

\A Year and a Half Spent on Elections
In five years, assembly elections are held in November-December, followed by Lok Sabha elections from March to May. Then, municipal elections are held in December, followed by panchayat elections in February-March of the next year. A significant amount of time is spent on swearing-in ceremonies and the transition of power for urban and rural leaders. Both elections impose a considerable financial burden on the government, with hundreds of crores of rupees spent on them. Additionally, the entire government machinery is fully engaged in the election process, leading to a near halt in government work and development activities. Due to the model code of conduct, public work is not carried out. The involvement of education department staff also affects children’s studies.

\A Tough Challenge for the Administration
While there is no inherent problem in holding municipal and panchayat elections together, the Election Commission will need to make robust arrangements at that level. This is because three-tier panchayat elections are very close-knit, with small margins of victory, leading to significant contention over the results. Strict security arrangements will be required at every booth. Additionally, due to Naxal activities in the state, it remains to be seen whether central forces like CRPF and the Industrial Security Force will be available for both elections. The same government machinery used for the municipal elections will also be used for the panchayat elections. Before that, they will be engaged for months in election training, voter list preparation, booth setup, etc. Health issues related to this workload will also need to be considered. Preparing voter lists after delimitation is one of the most important tasks. Each booth will require 5-6 staff members, such as presiding officers, polling officers, and other staff. Three to four security personnel will need to be deployed at each booth. Preparations for polling booths, availability of Kotwar, forest staff, election materials like ballot papers or EVMs, indelible ink, and stationery will need to be ensured. Forms and rulebooks for the election will need to be published. If the rules change this time, new rulebooks will need to be printed. Large-scale transportation arrangements, vehicle management, route charts, and the deployment of officers to control them will need to be organized. Returning officers, sector magistrates, supervisors, sector officers, etc., will need to be appointed. Election materials for the districts will need to be allocated. Finally, the entire election process will need to be monitored, and strong rooms will need to be set up with security arrangements.

\Administration Directed to Be Prepared
State Election Commissioner Ajay Singh has directed that the work of delimitation and reservation for the upcoming general elections of urban bodies and three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions in the state should be completed on time as per the law. He reviewed the work being done at the government level for the general elections by holding a meeting with the secretaries of the Urban Administration and Development, Panchayat and Rural Development, and General Administration departments at the office of the State Election Commission in Nava Raipur. In the review meeting, the secretaries of the three departments informed the State Election Commissioner that initial preparations for general elections in local bodies have already begun. All the required actions will be completed within the stipulated time frame. Niharika Barik Singh, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Anbalgan P., Secretary of the General Administration Department, Dr. Basavaraju S., Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department, and Sarveswar Narendra Bhure, Secretary of the State Election Commission, attended the review meeting. Dr. Neha Kapoor and Alok Srivastava, Deputy Secretaries of the State Election Commission, were also present at the meeting.

\Last Time, Elections Were Held One and a Half Months Apart
Last time, municipal and panchayat elections in Chhattisgarh were held one and a half months apart. The municipal elections were held at the end of 2019. Voting for 151 municipal bodies took place on December 21, and the results were announced on December 24. Elections were held for 10 municipal corporations, 38 municipalities, and 103 municipal councils. However, Bhilai-Charoda, Bhilai, Risali, and Birgaon municipal corporations, along with 15 other bodies, were not included. Elections for these corporations were held on December 20, 2021, and the results were announced on December 23, 2021. Before this, three-phase three-tier panchayat elections were held in 2020. Voting took place on January 28, January 31, and February 3, while the results were announced in six phases from January 30. Results for the Panch-Sarpanch were announced on January 30, February 2, and February 5, while results for the Zila Panchayat were announced on January 31, February 3, and February 6. The nomination process had begun on December 30, 2019. At that time, the security deposit was also increased fourfold.

\High-Level Committee Submitted Report to President
A high-level committee was formed for “One Nation, One Election” on September 2, 2023. After extensive deliberations with all parties and experts over 191 days, the committee prepared its report and submitted it to President Droupadi Murmu. The high-level committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, stated in its 18,000-plus page report that conducting elections simultaneously would promote the development process and social cohesion. It would also strengthen the foundation of democratic traditions and help realize the aspirations of “India, that is Bharat.” The high-level committee contacted 62 political parties on the issue of “One Nation, One Election,” of which 47 responded. Among them, 32 parties supported the idea of holding elections simultaneously, while 15 opposed it.

\The Country is Ready for One Election: Sao
Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration Minister Arun Sao stated that the government is working towards “One Nation, One Election.” During a discussion with the media on Friday, Sao said that municipal and three-tier panchayat elections could be held simultaneously in the state. The government is seeking public opinion on this and has also formed a committee. Separate provisions are made in the law for these elections. There are three laws: the Panchayati Raj Act for three-tier panchayat elections, the Municipal Act for municipal elections, and the Nagariya Nikay Panchayat Act for urban body and panchayat elections. Amendments to these laws will be made after the report is received. The state assembly will then pass these amendments in the next session. Amendments to these three laws have been discussed with legal experts. The government is committed to implementing “One State, One Election


\Difference Between Urban Local Body and Panchayat Elections
Elections held in cities are referred to as urban local body elections. These elections include voting for municipal councils, municipal corporations, and nagar panchayats. In urban local body elections, the positions of Mayor, Nagar Panchayat President, and Councilors are contested. On the other hand, Panchayat elections fall under the Panchayati Raj system, which includes elections for village councils (Gram Panchayat), block councils (Janpad Panchayat), and district councils (Zila Panchayat). In these elections, the villagers elect the Janpad Panchayat President, Sarpanch, and Panch.
\Fact File
Total districts in Chhattisgarh: 33
Total urban local bodies: 184
Total municipal corporations: 14
Total municipal councils: 48
Town panchayats: 122
Reorganization of 12 District Panchayats The Panchayat and Rural Development Department has issued a notification for the reorganization of 12 district panchayats in the state. The reorganization is being done due to the formation of six new districts in the state over the past five years. This notification, issued on August 5 under the signature of Joint Secretary Taran Prakash Sinha, invites claims and objections from the general public within 10 days.