India’s One Nation, One Election: A Step Towards Streamlining Electoral Process

One Nation, One Election: A Step Towards Streamlining India’s Electoral Process

The “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) proposal has once again made headlines, marking a significant step toward aligning elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies across India. On September 18, 2024, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the ONOE proposal, moving the country closer to the possibility of simultaneous elections. This landmark decision follows recommendations from a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The proposal, now on the brink of parliamentary consideration, has sparked discussions across the political spectrum.

Historical Context and Revival of the Idea

The idea of simultaneous elections is not new. India initially conducted concurrent elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies in the 1950s and 1960s. However, due to the premature dissolution of certain state legislatures in 1968-69, this alignment broke down. Since then, India has witnessed staggered elections, creating a near-constant election cycle.

In 2016, Prime Minister Modi rekindled the idea of returning to simultaneous elections, citing cost efficiency and improved governance. The Law Commission and Election Commission of India (ECI) have expressed support for the concept, provided legal and logistical hurdles are addressed.

Key Benefits of One Nation, One Election

1. Cost Efficiency: Conducting elections for both the central and state governments separately is a costly affair. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone cost the Election Commission approximately ₹60,000 crores. Aligning elections could lead to significant savings on administrative, logistical, and security expenses.
2. Reduced Governance Disruption: The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is enforced during every election, restricting the government’s ability to launch new policies and projects. With elections happening frequently, this disrupts governance. Simultaneous elections would limit the MCC’s enforcement to once every five years, allowing for more stable and consistent governance.
3. Improved Voter Turnout: Having a single election every five years could reduce voter fatigue, potentially increasing voter participation. According to recent studies, voter turnout may rise by 5-7% due to the simplified and synchronized voting process.

Latest Developments in September 2024

The Union Cabinet’s approval on September 18, 2024, marks a significant step forward for the ONOE initiative. The Kovind-led committee, established in September 2023, recommended 18 constitutional amendments to facilitate this reform. These amendments primarily focus on Articles 83, 172, 85, and 174 of the Constitution, which pertain to the terms and dissolution of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Of these, most amendments do not require ratification from state legislatures, easing the process.

The proposed reform will be introduced during the Winter Session of Parliament in late 2024. If approved, the government plans to implement ONOE in two phases:

• The first phase will align Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
• The second phase will eventually include elections for municipal and panchayat bodies, further streamlining the electoral process.

Estimated Cost Savings and Efficiency Gains

The financial benefits of ONOE are considerable. As mentioned, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections cost around ₹60,000 crores, with separate state elections incurring similar costs. A synchronized election cycle could save up to ₹25,000 crores over five years, according to estimates by political analysts.

Moreover, conducting frequent elections diverts attention and resources from governance. Frequent elections keep political parties in “campaign mode,” hindering long-term policy decisions. With ONOE, governments at both state and central levels will be able to focus on governance without interruptions from the electoral process.

Challenges and Opposition

Despite its potential benefits, ONOE faces considerable challenges:

1. Constitutional Amendments: The 18 amendments proposed by the Kovind committee will require careful legislative navigation. While many can be passed with a simple majority, some aspects, such as synchronizing local body elections, will require ratification from at least half of India’s states.
2. Logistical Complexities: Conducting elections for the Lok Sabha and 28 State Assemblies simultaneously requires significant logistical planning. The Election Commission will need to ensure the availability of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), VVPATs (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails), and sufficient personnel. The ECI is currently studying these logistical requirements and is expected to release its findings by the end of 2024.
3. Political Opposition: While the BJP and its allies have been vocal proponents of ONOE, opposition parties like the Indian National Congress (INC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) have raised concerns. They argue that national issues may overshadow local concerns, potentially marginalizing regional parties. Additionally, some critics believe ONOE could centralize political power, weakening the federal structure.
4. Public Sentiment: Despite opposition from some political parties, public sentiment seems to favor the proposal. According to recent surveys, 80% of respondents, particularly the youth, support the idea of simultaneous elections, viewing it as a means of reducing costs and improving governance.

Future Steps

The next step involves introducing the ONOE bill in the Winter Session of Parliament, where it will face debate and scrutiny. If passed, India could witness its first synchronized elections as early as 2029, according to government sources. The ECI is already preparing for the logistics, studying how to deploy resources effectively across the country.

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Author: CA Puneet Doomra – CA, MBA, LLB, B.com, Certified GST Practitioner, Management Graduate from Ministry of Magic Wipro, Advance Excel Expert