The Hindu Editorial Based Vocab for Competitive Exams : 20th August

Reality check: On simultaneous polls

Simultaneous polls pose too big a legal and logistical challenge to be
implemented now

Chief Election Commissioner O.P.
Rawat’s view that it is not possible to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok
Sabha and the State Assemblies soon is a realistic assessment of the humongous
task ahead of the Election Commission before it can embark on such an ambitious venture. Mr. Rawat has, in particular,
ruled out the possibility of holding elections to the Lok Sabha this December along
with polls to the Assemblies of four States. In addition to the basic
requirement of a legal framework under which the extension or curtailment of the term of any Assembly
is constitutionally permissible, simultaneous elections would demand a massive
increase in the number of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and
voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units. Mr. Rawat has pointed out
that altering the term of an Assembly needs an amendment to the Constitution.
Moreover, ensuring the availability of VVPATs everywhere poses a logistical
challenge. Mizoram is due for elections in December, as the term of the
Assembly ends on December 15. This will be followed by Chhattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan, with the terms of their Assemblies ending on January 5,
7 and 20, respectively. A new batch of VVPAT units is expected only by the end
of November, and it takes a month for first-level checking, rendering the
possibility of using them in the next round of elections remote. The logistics
are bracing, too. Simultaneous
elections will require the use of 24 lakh EVMs, needing the procurement of 12
lakh EVMs and an equal number of VVPAT units, according to its estimate. These
figures ought to give pause to the clamour
to hold simultaneous Assembly elections with the next Lok Sabha polls.

It goes without saying that a
wide political consensus, as well as legislative cooperation from various
parties at the Centre and in the States, is required for holding simultaneous
elections. It is natural that parties that control legislatures constituted in
recent months or years would resist any curtailment of their tenures, while
those in the Opposition may prefer simultaneous polls if it means Assembly
elections being advanced. Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has
written to the Law Commission favouring simultaneous polls, giving a fillip to the idea. The crux of the argument in favour of the
concept is that the country is perpetually
in election mode, resulting in a lack of adequate focus on governance. The second
contention is that scattered polling
results in extra expenditure. The question before India is, in order to address
these two issues, can legislature terms be curtailed without undermining representative democracy
and federalism? Given the procedural and logistical challenges that holding of
simultaneous elections pose, it would be far more productive for political
parties to focus on basic electoral reforms and find ways to curb excessive election expenditure.

1. Embark (on or upon): (verb) : पोतारोहण करना

Meaning: to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

Synonyms: begin, commence, enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, lead off, open, start, strike (into)

Antonyms: conclude, end, finish, terminate

2. Curtailment: (noun) : कटौती

Meaning: the action or fact of reducing or restricting something.

Synonyms: reduction, cut, cutback, decrease, lessening, diminution, retrenchment, shrinkage; shortening, truncation, guillotine; restriction, limitation

Antonyms: increase, expansion

3. Bracing: (adjective) : स्फ़ूर्तिकारक

Meaning: having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind

Synonyms: cordial, invigorating, refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, reviving, stimulating, stimulative, tonic, vital, vitalizing

Antonyms: deadening, debilitating, draining, enervating, enfeebling, exhausting, numbing, sapping, weakening, wearying

4. Clamour: (noun) : कोलाहल

Meaning: a loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting.

Synonyms: din, racket,uproar, tumult, babel, shouting, yelling, screaming, baying, roaring, blaring, clangour; commotion, brouhaha, hue and cry, hubbub

Antonyms: silence

5. Crux: (noun) : समस्या का महत्वपूर्ण अंग

Meaning: the central part or aspect of something under consideration

Synonyms: bottom line, bull’s-eye, centerpiece, core, essence, gist, heart, kernel, keynote, meat, meat and potatoes, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, point, root, sum

6. Contention: (noun) : विवाद

Meaning: an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate

Synonyms: argument, assertion, thesis

7. Curb: (noun) : अधीन करना

Meaning: something that limits one’s freedom of action or choice

Synonyms: check, circumscription, condition, constraint, fetter, limitation, restraint, restriction

Antonyms: freedom, latitude

8. Fillip:(noun) : प्रोत्साहन

Meaning: something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity.

Synonyms: stimulus, stimulation, stimulant, boost, encouragement, incitement, incentive, impetus, inducement, motivation; tonic, uplift, lift

Antonyms: curb

9. Perpetually: (adverb) : निरंतर रूप से

Meaning: in a way that never ends or changes; constantly.

Synonyms: always, ever, everlastingly, evermore, forever, forevermore, indelibly, permanently

Antonyms: never, nevermore

10. Undermining: (noun) : अवमूल्यन करना

Meaning: a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction

Synonyms: attrition, corrosion, erosion, waste

Antonyms: buildup