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One Nation One Election: Is it Possible?

The Union Cabinet has approved the ambitious “One Nation, One Election (ONOE)” plan, a significant step toward synchronizing electoral processes across the country. Based on the recommendations of a high-level panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the proposal involves amending several constitutional articles to facilitate simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This groundbreaking initiative aims to introduce the simultaneous election model in two phases, potentially transforming India’s electoral framework.

Historical Evolution of ONOE in India

Pre-Independence Context:
The concept of simultaneous elections traces its origins to the colonial electoral framework under the Government of India Act, 1935. Although fragmented, elections during British rule were largely aligned for legislative bodies.

Post-Independence Era (1952-1967):

• First General Elections (1952): India’s democratic journey commenced with synchronized elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• Continuation: Simultaneous elections were successfully conducted in 1957, 1962, and 1967, contributing to political and administrative stability.

Disruption of Simultaneity (1968-1969):

• The synchronized election cycle was disrupted following the premature dissolution of certain State Assemblies in 1968-69, particularly in Haryana and Kerala.
• In 1970, the Lok Sabha was dissolved before completing its term, leading to separate election cycles for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Attempts to Revisit ONOE:

• Law Commission of India (170th Report, 1999): Recommended simultaneous elections to minimize election-related disruptions and costs.
• Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015): Emphasized the benefits of ONOE, such as reducing electoral expenses and ensuring continuity in governance.
• NITI Aayog Report (2017): Outlined a comprehensive roadmap for reintroducing ONOE.

Key Benefits of One Nation One Election (ONOE)

1. Significant Reduction in Electoral Costs:
   Simultaneous elections can significantly reduce the financial burden on the government and political parties.

For example, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections marked a record high, with election expenditure surging to ₹55,000 crore compared to ₹9,000 crore in 1998.

Estimates suggest that reducing the frequency of elections could save between ₹7,500 crore and ₹12,000 crore, which could instead be allocated to infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

2. Streamlining Governance and Reducing Policy Paralysis:
   Frequent elections force governments into constant campaign mode, delaying long-term decision-making.

For instance, during recent elections, over 24 major development projects were stalled in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

ONOE would restrict MCC enforcement to once every five years, enabling uninterrupted governance and improving policymaking as governments prioritize development over short-term electoral gains.

3. Enhanced Voter Engagement and Turnout:
   Repetitive elections often cause voter fatigue, leading to lower participation in by-polls and local elections.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections recorded a turnout of 65.79%, reflecting moderate participation.

Consolidating elections under ONOE could invigorate the democratic process, engaging voters in fewer but more meaningful electoral events and potentially increasing turnout by 5–10%.

4. Curtailment of Electoral Malpractices:
   Frequent elections provide multiple opportunities for vote-buying, misuse of state resources, and money power.

For example, in the 2024 state assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand and during various by-polls, enforcement agencies seized over ₹1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies.

ONOE can curb such malpractices by restricting election cycles, allowing the Election Commission to focus its oversight more effectively.

5. Optimized Utilization of Security Forces:
   Elections require substantial deployment of security forces, diverting them from their primary responsibilities.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, the Election Commission deployed 3.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), leaving gaps in border and internal security management.

ONOE would consolidate security deployments into a single electoral cycle, ensuring better resource utilization and improved national security preparedness.

6. Minimizing Disruptions to Economic Activity:
   Frequent elections disrupt local economies due to bans on business activities like transport restrictions, liquor sales, and labor shifts.

• For instance, the Karnataka government reported a revenue loss of ₹150 crore due to liquor bans during the 2023 state elections.
• Aligning electoral schedules under ONOE would minimize such disruptions, ensuring smoother economic activity.

7. Greater Alignment in Development Goals:
   Simultaneous elections can strengthen cooperative federalism by aligning the terms of central and state governments.

For example, during the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (2017), synchronized efforts between the central and state governments facilitated its successful implementation.

ONOE can institutionalize such collaboration, promoting unified strategies in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and climate action, leading to more cohesive national development.

Key Challenges Associated with One Nation One Election (ONOE)

1. Constitutional and Legal Complexities:
   Implementing ONOE requires amending several constitutional provisions, including Articles 83, 85, 172, and 356, which govern the tenure and dissolution of legislatures.

Synchronizing elections would require curtailing or extending the terms of certain state assemblies, raising concerns about their democratic validity.

Additionally, misuse of Article 356 (President’s Rule) could disrupt synchronized terms, leading to further legal and constitutional challenges.

2. Potential Threat to Federalism:
   Critics argue that ONOE might undermine the autonomy of states by shifting focus from regional issues to national agendas.

For example, during the 2019 Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections, national issues like the Balakot airstrike dominated campaigns, while critical local issues such as agricultural distress and unemployment in tribal regions received limited attention.

The Sarkaria Commission (1988) also cautioned against excessive centralization, emphasizing that it could erode cooperative federalism, a core principle of the Indian Constitution.

3. Logistical and Operational Challenges:
   Conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies would require extensive administrative and logistical planning.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) estimates an expenditure of ₹10,000 crore every 15 years for procuring and replacing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Managing over 900 million voters across 1 million polling stations (as of 2019) simultaneously, particularly in remote and conflict-prone areas, poses an enormous challenge.

4. Disruption of Democratic Accountability:
   Frequent elections ensure regular accountability, allowing voters to assess governments periodically.

For example, the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections reflected public dissatisfaction with governance, leading to a regime change.

ONOE, by reducing election frequency, may weaken this accountability mechanism, potentially enabling governments to delay addressing critical issues until the end of their term.

5. Political Resistance and Lack of Consensus:
   The ONOE proposal has faced resistance from several political parties, particularly regional parties, which fear a loss of relevance under a synchronized electoral system.

During consultations led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, 32 political parties supported the proposal, while 15 opposed it.

This lack of political consensus remains a significant hurdle in implementing ONOE.

6. Disruption Due to Premature Dissolutions:
   Premature dissolutions of state governments or the Lok Sabha could disrupt the synchronized election cycle.

For instance, the collapse of the Karnataka government in 2019 and the Maharashtra government in 2022 resulted in unplanned elections.

Addressing such scenarios would require either frequent imposition of President’s Rule, raising concerns about democratic integrity, or holding interim elections, which undermines ONOE’s cost-efficiency.

7. Delayed Electoral Justice and Dispute Resolution:
   Simultaneous elections could overwhelm the judiciary with election-related disputes.

Currently, staggered elections allow courts to address cases in phases. However, ONOE would lead to a surge in simultaneous petitions, delaying resolutions.

For example, the 2019 general elections witnessed 130 election petitions, the highest recorded. Under ONOE, delayed dispute resolution could disrupt result declarations and affect governance continuity

Measures for Effective Implementation of One Nation, One Election (ONOE)

1. Pilot ONOE in Union Territories:
   Initiate ONOE reforms in Union Territories (UTs) as a pilot project to test its feasibility and effectiveness.

UTs like Delhi, Puducherry, and Chandigarh have smaller electorates and simpler governance structures, making them ideal candidates for pilot programs.

Successful implementation in UTs would help refine the ONOE model before a nationwide rollout.

2. Flexible Election Cycles Based on Regional Readiness:
   Transition to ONOE gradually by synchronizing elections regionally rather than enforcing nationwide uniformity in one step.

States can be grouped into zones such as North, South, East, and West, with elections synchronized within each region over a phased timeline of 5–10 years.

States facing governance or security challenges, like Jharkhand or Jammu & Kashmir, can align their election cycles gradually to ensure smooth implementation.

This phased approach ensures logistical feasibility while addressing federal concerns.

3. Creating a Digital Electoral Management System (DEMS):
   Develop a robust digital platform to handle the logistical complexities of ONOE.

The DEMS would integrate key election processes such as voter registration, polling booth allocation, candidate nominations, and result management.

Blockchain-based technology could be piloted for vote recording and counting to enhance transparency, security, and accuracy.

This system would streamline administration, minimize delays, and ensure efficient management of synchronized elections.

4. Strengthening Federal Safeguards for Regional Representation:
   Implement measures to ensure state-level issues are not overshadowed during synchronized elections.

Mandate regional debates or state-specific televised forums to highlight local issues and ensure they receive adequate attention during elections.

Introduce tailored political funding caps to level the playing field, allowing regional parties to remain competitive against large-scale national campaigns.

These measures would safeguard democratic diversity and preserve the federal structure of governance in India.

The “One Nation, One Election” proposal represents a significant transformation in India’s electoral system, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline governance.

Its successful implementation will require meticulous planning, comprehensive legislative amendments, and a careful balance between federal autonomy and national priorities. By adopting a phased approach and drawing lessons from global experiences, India can overcome these challenges and ensure that the reforms lead to a more unified, cost-effective, and functional electoral process.

The End of the Blog: One Nation One Election: Is it Possible?