Abstract

In India, the concept of simultaneous elections is not a new one. When elections were held for the Lok Sabha and state legislatures for the first time in 1951-52, it was a historic occasion. What are the chances of the terms of Parliament and state legislative assemblies being coordinated? Does that make it constitutionally admissible if the answer to that is yes? Then we aim to discuss its constitutional validity. Due to the increasing popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its electoral successes in the early 1990s, simultaneous elections were reinstated. After a long hiatus, they have reappeared with remarkable vigour since 2014, coinciding with the emergence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to national political prominence. It is often remarked that when elections are held at the same time, accountability is eroded since elected legislators are no longer held accountable to voters through mid-term elections. The purpose of this article is to discuss the ramifications of holding simultaneous elections in India, as well as the influence this will have on the country's democracy.

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