Several countries hold simultaneous elections. In South Africa, both national and provincial elections are held every five years, with municipal elections scheduled two years later. Similarly, Sweden conducts national, provincial, and local elections every four years. The UK has a regular election schedule established by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act of 2011.
Simultaneous elections refer to the practice of holding elections for different political offices at the same time, rather than at different intervals. This concept can vary in application depending on the country and level of government involved.
Kovind Panel studied poll process of 7 countries
Ramnath Kovind committee has studied simultaneous poll processes in seven countries including South Africa, Germany, and Sweden before tabling report on 'One Nation, One Election to the President of India. The other countries where simultaneous elections are conducted are Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Belgium. The election reforms panel thoroughly studied the poll process in those countries before recommending simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies in India.
According to the report, a comparative analysis of other countries was drawn while dealing with the issue of simultaneous elections. The aim was to study and adopt the best international practices to ensure fairness and transparency in elections.
Simultaneous elections can offer administrative efficiencies and potential benefits like increased voter turnout and reduced costs. However, the practicality and implementation of such a system vary widely depending on the political structure and context of each country.
Sweden:
· In Sweden, elections for both the national parliament (Riksdag) and local government bodies (county and municipal councils) are held simultaneously every four years.
· This synchronization helps streamline governance and reduce the frequency of elections.
South Africa:
· South Africa holds its national and provincial elections simultaneously every five years. However, local government elections are held separately.
· This has helped ensure a stable political environment while spreading the focus across different levels of governance.
Belgium:
· Belgium holds its federal, regional, and European Parliament elections at the same time, once every five years.
· However, communal elections for local government bodies are held separately.
· The multi-tiered governance system in Belgium is complex, but simultaneous elections help prevent political instability.
Brazil:
· Brazil holds its national and local elections at different intervals, but the elections for president, national congress, and governors are all conducted simultaneously every four years.
· Brazil’s vast geographical diversity makes holding simultaneous elections essential for logistical reasons and cost-effectiveness.
Germany:
· Germany does not fully follow simultaneous elections at all levels, but federal and some state elections coincide.
· Germany’s federal system allows the states (Länder) to hold elections at different times, while federal elections (Bundestag) are held every four years.
Indonesia:
· Indonesia adopted simultaneous elections in 2019 for the national presidency, legislature, and local legislatures. This was the first time the country experimented with holding elections on a national scale together.
· Despite challenges in managing such a vast archipelago, Indonesia has moved towards holding elections simultaneously to simplify the process.
Mexico:
· Mexico has adopted simultaneous elections for its federal and state governments. Elections for president, the national congress, and state governors are all held together every six years.
· Local elections, however, are often held separately, depending on the region.
Purpose of Studying these Countries
By studying these countries, the Kovind Panel aimed to assess how simultaneous elections could improve India's electoral system. The panel sought to understand the logistics, legal frameworks, and political challenges in countries that have experimented with or successfully implemented simultaneous elections.
This comparative analysis helps India evaluate the feasibility of “One Nation, One Election”, considering the country’s large federal structure, diverse electoral timelines, and complex governance requirements.
India moving towards ONOE
India is the one of the prominent examples where simultaneous elections (One Nation, One Election) have been discussed at length. The idea is to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies to reduce the frequency of elections and associated costs. Other references supporting the idea of simultaneous election process are:
· United States: In some states and municipalities, local elections for various offices such as mayor, city council, and school board members are often held concurrently with national elections like those for President or Congress.
· European Parliament: Elections to the European Parliament are generally held simultaneously across all member states over a few days, ensuring a unified electoral process across the EU.
