One Nation, One Election: The proposal of "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) has gained renewed momentum following the Union Cabinet's approval to explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections across the country. This concept aims to hold both Lok Sabha (national) and state assembly elections together. The ONOE proposal also includes elections for urban bodies and panchayats to be conducted within a unified 100-day window.
The push for ONOE, initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , has now taken a formal shape, with a report by a panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind playing a central role.
The idea of one nation, one election
The essence of the ONOE plan lies in synchronising the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and various state assemblies across the country. Currently, elections in India are staggered, leading to frequent polling across states, which some argue disrupts governance . The ONOE proposal advocates for aligning these electoral cycles to hold elections once every five years, ensuring that voters cast their ballots for both national and state representatives on the same day.
This proposal isn't entirely new. India held simultaneous elections in its early years, starting from the first general elections in 1951-52 until the late 1960s. However, subsequent political instability, including early dissolutions of some state assemblies, led to the current scenario where elections are held at different intervals in various states.
India and One Nation, One Election: Advantages of Simultaneous ElectionsProponents of the ONOE system argue that it offers several key advantages:
Cost efficiency: One of the primary arguments in favor of ONOE is the potential for significant cost savings. The financial burden of conducting separate elections is immense, with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone costing approximately ₹60,000 crore. By holding elections simultaneously, these expenses could be reduced drastically, saving both political parties and the Election Commission substantial amounts.
Administrative efficiency: The regular occurrence of elections across different states requires large-scale deployment of security personnel and election officials, often diverting these resources from their regular duties. A synchronised election would streamline the process, ensuring that security and administrative resources are concentrated in one election cycle every five years, rather than being spread out.
Increased voter turnout: Combining national and state elections could potentially increase voter participation. Citizen would have the opportunity to vote for both levels of government on the same day, reducing voter fatigue and possibly encouraging a higher turnout.
Reduced disruption to governance: The frequent occurrence of elections is often cited as a disruption to governance, as it places government officials in "election mode," causing delays in decision-making and policy implementation. With simultaneous elections, the government would be able to focus on governance without the constant need for campaign management.
Challenges and Criticisms of One Nation, One ElectionDespite the numerous advantages, the ONOE proposal faces significant hurdles, both in terms of logistics and political consensus.
Constitutional and legal changes: Implementing ONOE would require a series of amendments to the Constitution, particularly to articles that govern the timing of elections, the tenure of legislatures, and electoral procedures. For instance, the Representation of People’s Act , 1951, would need to be modified to align election schedules. This process is not straightforward, as any constitutional amendment requires approval by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, as well as ratification by at least half of India's states.
Potential impact on local issues: Critics argue that simultaneous elections may overshadow state-level concerns, with national issues dominating the discourse. This could reduce the focus on state-specific challenges, potentially leading to a disconnect between voters' expectations and the outcomes of state elections. Some also fear that this could centralise power, giving the ruling party at the national level greater sway over state politics.
Logistical hurdles: Organising a simultaneous election across India, a country with over 900 million eligible voters, would be a monumental task. Ensuring the availability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), managing election personnel, and coordinating security forces would require meticulous planning and unprecedented resource mobilisation.
Opposition from political parties: The ONOE proposal has seen mixed reactions from political parties. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) and its allies largely support the move, opposition parties such as the Congress, the Left, and the Trinamool Congress have voiced their disapproval, arguing that the proposal undermines India’s federal structure. These parties believe that ONOE could diminish the autonomy of state governments, giving the central government an upper hand in state matters.
How will one nation, one election be implemented?
While the ONOE proposal has been discussed for several years, its implementation remains a complex and multi-stage process. The panel led by Ram Nath Kovind has recommended a phased approach:
Phase 1: This phase involves holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. To achieve this, the central government would need to pass constitutional amendments, garnering the necessary support in Parliament and among states.
Phase 2: In the second phase, elections for municipal bodies and panchayats would also be synchronised. However, this phase poses even greater challenges, as many states with opposition-led governments are likely to resist the change, and achieving consensus on local-level elections is expected to be more difficult.
A key recommendation from the Kovind panel includes the creation of a single electoral roll for all three tiers of government, along with electoral photo identity cards (EPICs) that could be used universally. However, these measures also require amendments to the Constitution, making the process long and intricate.
The way ahead for one nation, one election and simultaneous polls in the country
While the concept of ONOE has widespread support from sections of society, especially the youth and some political parties, it faces opposition from various quarters. The central government has indicated that it will follow a "consensus-building" approach, engaging with academics, intellectuals, political leaders, and social groups to create a favorable atmosphere for the proposal.
The implementation of ONOE would mark a significant shift in India's democratic framework, but it is unlikely to be realised without overcoming significant legal, logistical, and political obstacles. For UPSC aspirants , understanding ONOE is essential not only from a governance perspective but also in terms of its impact on federalism, electoral processes , and constitutional law. The debate around ONOE is bound to remain a crucial topic in the coming years, especially as the 2029 elections approach, the proposed starting point for simultaneous polls.
The push for ONOE, initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , has now taken a formal shape, with a report by a panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind playing a central role.
The idea of one nation, one election
The essence of the ONOE plan lies in synchronising the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and various state assemblies across the country. Currently, elections in India are staggered, leading to frequent polling across states, which some argue disrupts governance . The ONOE proposal advocates for aligning these electoral cycles to hold elections once every five years, ensuring that voters cast their ballots for both national and state representatives on the same day.
This proposal isn't entirely new. India held simultaneous elections in its early years, starting from the first general elections in 1951-52 until the late 1960s. However, subsequent political instability, including early dissolutions of some state assemblies, led to the current scenario where elections are held at different intervals in various states.
India and One Nation, One Election: Advantages of Simultaneous ElectionsProponents of the ONOE system argue that it offers several key advantages:
Cost efficiency: One of the primary arguments in favor of ONOE is the potential for significant cost savings. The financial burden of conducting separate elections is immense, with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone costing approximately ₹60,000 crore. By holding elections simultaneously, these expenses could be reduced drastically, saving both political parties and the Election Commission substantial amounts.
Administrative efficiency: The regular occurrence of elections across different states requires large-scale deployment of security personnel and election officials, often diverting these resources from their regular duties. A synchronised election would streamline the process, ensuring that security and administrative resources are concentrated in one election cycle every five years, rather than being spread out.
Increased voter turnout: Combining national and state elections could potentially increase voter participation. Citizen would have the opportunity to vote for both levels of government on the same day, reducing voter fatigue and possibly encouraging a higher turnout.
Reduced disruption to governance: The frequent occurrence of elections is often cited as a disruption to governance, as it places government officials in "election mode," causing delays in decision-making and policy implementation. With simultaneous elections, the government would be able to focus on governance without the constant need for campaign management.
Challenges and Criticisms of One Nation, One ElectionDespite the numerous advantages, the ONOE proposal faces significant hurdles, both in terms of logistics and political consensus.
Constitutional and legal changes: Implementing ONOE would require a series of amendments to the Constitution, particularly to articles that govern the timing of elections, the tenure of legislatures, and electoral procedures. For instance, the Representation of People’s Act , 1951, would need to be modified to align election schedules. This process is not straightforward, as any constitutional amendment requires approval by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, as well as ratification by at least half of India's states.
Potential impact on local issues: Critics argue that simultaneous elections may overshadow state-level concerns, with national issues dominating the discourse. This could reduce the focus on state-specific challenges, potentially leading to a disconnect between voters' expectations and the outcomes of state elections. Some also fear that this could centralise power, giving the ruling party at the national level greater sway over state politics.
Logistical hurdles: Organising a simultaneous election across India, a country with over 900 million eligible voters, would be a monumental task. Ensuring the availability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), managing election personnel, and coordinating security forces would require meticulous planning and unprecedented resource mobilisation.
Opposition from political parties: The ONOE proposal has seen mixed reactions from political parties. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) and its allies largely support the move, opposition parties such as the Congress, the Left, and the Trinamool Congress have voiced their disapproval, arguing that the proposal undermines India’s federal structure. These parties believe that ONOE could diminish the autonomy of state governments, giving the central government an upper hand in state matters.
How will one nation, one election be implemented?
While the ONOE proposal has been discussed for several years, its implementation remains a complex and multi-stage process. The panel led by Ram Nath Kovind has recommended a phased approach:
Phase 1: This phase involves holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. To achieve this, the central government would need to pass constitutional amendments, garnering the necessary support in Parliament and among states.
Phase 2: In the second phase, elections for municipal bodies and panchayats would also be synchronised. However, this phase poses even greater challenges, as many states with opposition-led governments are likely to resist the change, and achieving consensus on local-level elections is expected to be more difficult.
A key recommendation from the Kovind panel includes the creation of a single electoral roll for all three tiers of government, along with electoral photo identity cards (EPICs) that could be used universally. However, these measures also require amendments to the Constitution, making the process long and intricate.
The way ahead for one nation, one election and simultaneous polls in the country
While the concept of ONOE has widespread support from sections of society, especially the youth and some political parties, it faces opposition from various quarters. The central government has indicated that it will follow a "consensus-building" approach, engaging with academics, intellectuals, political leaders, and social groups to create a favorable atmosphere for the proposal.
The implementation of ONOE would mark a significant shift in India's democratic framework, but it is unlikely to be realised without overcoming significant legal, logistical, and political obstacles. For UPSC aspirants , understanding ONOE is essential not only from a governance perspective but also in terms of its impact on federalism, electoral processes , and constitutional law. The debate around ONOE is bound to remain a crucial topic in the coming years, especially as the 2029 elections approach, the proposed starting point for simultaneous polls.
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