“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. (Answer in 150 words)

Simultaneous elections could synchronise electoral cycles, but their institutional benefits must be weighed against India’s parliamentary and federal design.

• Fewer campaigns may reduce public expenditure, administrative diversion, security deployment and policy paralysis.
• A stable cycle could encourage longer-term development planning and reduce frequent populist announcements.
• Parties and voters would face lower repeated transaction costs.

• Fixed synchrony is difficult when governments fall early; premature dissolution or constructive no-confidence may be required.
• National issues can dominate State concerns, weakening federal representation and regional parties.
• Less frequent elections may reduce the people’s immediate electoral check on governments.

Build consensus through the Law Commission and parliamentary scrutiny; consider a common cycle with safeguards, partial terms, no-confidence alternatives, stronger inner-party democracy, transparent finance and continuous legislative oversight.

Federalism; parliamentary accountability; electoral expenditure; fixed tenure; constructive no-confidence; voter choice.