Editorial 1 : Both For and Against
Context: Why the arguments for and against One Nation One Election (ONOE) are flawed
Speculations and Assumptions
- The idea that ONOE is necessary for national unity, governmental efficiency or reducing election expenditure is speculative at best.
- Both sides i.e. those in favour and against the ONOE are making assumptions about how this would work.
- The assumptions in all likelihood, will be subverted by the dynamics of politics.
Weaknesses in Arguments for and against ONOE
- It is not clear why ONOE is thought to be incompatible with India’s diversity.
- This argument seems to be the exact mirror of the government’s argument that it is necessary for national unity.
- It is just a rhetorical red herring.
- It is not clear why ONOE necessarily entails an impatience with the clutter of democratic politics.
- ONOE takes elections seriously. Some elites might be impatient with the so-called clutter. But the proposal by itself has no such implication.
- Democracy requires much more than just staggered elections and partisan competition.
- Democracy requires the formation of considered public opinion, civil society mobilisation, the matching of public accountability to time horizons of policies.
- It is not clear why ONOE necessarily entails presidentialism, or that it will nationalise state elections.
- People worry that if national and state elections are held together, somehow national issues will dominate.
- There is an anti-democratic elitism in this argument, as if voters are not intelligent enough to distinguish local versus national issues or candidates.
- There is a worry that this signifies the diminution of the power of the representative, and hence, the dignity of legislative assemblies like Parliament.
- This argument is perplexing as the anti-defection Bill already effectively killed the power of the individual representative and made them creatures of their party. Moreover, no-confidence motions succeed very rarely.
- State legislatures are already defunct as institutions of accountability.
Uncertainties, Risks and Opportunities
- It is actually not clear that ONOE will reduce expenditure, especially expenditure by candidates.
- It is not clear ONOE will reduce the pressures for fiscal populism.
- The biggest risk of the proposal is not having any electoral mechanism for expressing discontent for a full five years.
- Timing the elections of local bodies with centre and state will give them the dignity or investment they deserve.
Way Forward
- Critics of the proposal are right in one respect — there are lots of small reforms in elections, in Parliament that are more low-risk and have a high beneficial impact for democracy. These should be tried first.
Democracy needs an imagination beyond the timing of elections.
Editorial 2 : Elephant in the Room
Context: Shelving an elephant census
Estimating the Population
- A reliable population estimate is a basic prerequisite for conserving endangered animals.
- But most wildlife, especially large mammals, is not easy to survey as the animals are often camouflaged or on the move.
- Therefore, counting methods across the world, have to be refined frequently.
Counting the Tigers
- The tiger crisis of 2005 led to conversations over the procedures to count the tigers.
- Though questions continue to be raised over the exact numbers of the big cat, the Tiger Census today provides a more accurate picture of the status of the animal compared to 2005-06.
Counting the Elephants
- Elephant census is conducted every five years to measure its population.
- After 2017, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the surveying agency, changed its method. From relying on direct headcount or dung count of elephants, the WII adopted the statistical modelling approach used to monitor tigers.
- Census report shows a substantial decline in the animal’s population. This could be a reflection of the long-term status of the elephant.
- The findings should have led to a debate on the conservation of the animal but the government has chosen to shelve the report.
- The elephant’s habitat has undergone changes in recent years due to the conversion of forest areas to agriculture and development projects.
- Fragmentation of habitats has prompted long-ranging elephants to venture into unoccupied areas. Thus, increasing man-elephant conflict.
- Unable to find food or dispersal areas, elephants become crop raiders.
Advantages of Population Estimation
- Population estimates that map elephants’ distribution and herd structure not just in reserve forests, but also in human-dominated landscapes, could be the first step to reduce the conflicts.
- The data from population estimate could spur discussions on a viable population that can share space with humans.
- The information can also lay the ground for eco-sensitive developmental planning.
Way Forward and Conclusion
- Elephant Task Force, constituted by the environment ministry, advocated a robust science-based assessment and monitoring of elephants.
- The task force recommendations need special focus.
- The government claims that the elephant’s status has stabilised in the country, but shelving the latest survey goes against the conservation of animals and finding solutions to man-animal conflicts.
Habitat Loss: Reason for Decline in Population
- The elephant’s habitat has undergone changes in recent years due to the conversion of forest areas to agriculture and development projects.
- Fragmentation of habitats has prompted long-ranging elephants to venture into unoccupied areas. Thus, increasing man-elephant conflict.
- Unable to find food or dispersal areas, elephants become crop raiders.
Advantages of Population Estimation
- Population estimates that map elephants’ distribution and herd structure not just in reserve forests, but also in human-dominated landscapes, could be the first step to reduce the conflicts.
- The data from population estimate could spur discussions on a viable population that can share space with humans.
- The information can also lay the ground for eco-sensitive developmental planning.
Way Forward and Conclusion
- Elephant Task Force, constituted by the environment ministry, advocated a robust science-based assessment and monitoring of elephants.
- The task force recommendations need special focus.
- The government claims that the elephant’s status has stabilised in the country, but shelving the latest survey goes against the conservation of animals and finding solutions to man-animal conflicts.