One Nation, One Election – Significance & Challenges – Explained Pointwise

Recently, 2 former CJIs, appearing before the  Joint Committee of Parliament on One Nation, One Election, have said that the Bill to introduce simultaneous elections does not violate the basic structure constitution. However, they have also expressed the concern over the unbridled power granted to ECI without providing any oversight clause.
India’s democratic framework thrives on the vibrancy of its electoral process, enabling citizens to actively shape governance at every level. Since independence, over 400 elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies have showcased the Election Commission of India’s commitment to fairness and transparency. However, the fragmented and frequent nature of elections has sparked discussions on the need for a more efficient system. This has led to the resurgence of interest in the concept of “One Nation, One Election.”

What is Simultaneous Elections?

• Simultaneous elections, popularly known as “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE), refers to the idea of holding elections to the Lok Sabha & all State Legislative Assemblies together for the same constituency on the same day. This would allow voters to cast their ballots for both tiers of government on the same day in their constituencies, though voting could still occur in phases across the country.
• The concept of simultaneous elections is not a new idea in India. Following the adoption of the Constitution, elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies were conducted simultaneously from 1951 to 1967. The first general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies were held together in 1951-52, a practice that continued for three subsequent general elections in 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• However, this cycle of synchronised elections was disrupted in 1968 and 1969 due to the premature dissolution of some State Legislative Assemblies. The Fourth Lok Sabha was also dissolved prematurely in 1970, with fresh elections held in 1971. Unlike the First, Second, and Third Lok Sabha, which completed their full five-year terms, the Fifth Lok Sabha’s term was extended until 1977 under Article 352 because of the declaration of Emergency. Since then, only a few Lok Sabha terms have lasted the full five years, such as the Eighth, Tenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth. Others, including the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth, were dissolved early.
• State Assemblies have faced similar disruptions over the years. Premature dissolutions and term extensions have become a recurring challenge. These developments have firmly disrupted the cycle of simultaneous elections, leading to the current pattern of staggered electoral schedules across the country.
• The idea of ONOE has been recommended by various committees & bodies from time to time such as:
  • Law Commission of India e.g. 170th Report (1999) & later 21st Law Commission (2018) released a draft report advocating for simultaneous elections and proposing various options for synchronization, including necessary constitutional amendments..
  • Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice: In its 79th Report (2015), this committee also recommended methods for holding simultaneous elections in two phases.
  • NITI Aayog: In a 2017 paper, NITI Aayog, the government’s policy think tank, advocated the idea of conducting simultaneous elections for effective governance.
  • Election Commission of India (ECI): The ECI itself has, on various occasions since 1983, expressed support for the idea of simultaneous elections.
  • High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections in India (Kovind Committee): This committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was constituted in September 2023. It submitted its comprehensive report in March 2024, providing a detailed roadmap and recommendations for implementing “One Nation, One Election.” Its recommendations were accepted by the Union Cabinet in September 2024.

What is the significance of Simultaneous Elections?

1. Promotes Consistency in Governance: Due to the ongoing cycle of elections in various parts of the country, political parties, their leaders, legislators, and both State and Central Governments often focus their efforts on preparing for upcoming elections rather than prioritizing governance. The adoption of simultaneous elections would refocus the government’s attention towards developmental activities and the implementation of policies aimed at promoting the welfare of the masses.
2. Prevents Policy Paralysis: The implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during elections disrupts routine administrative activities and developmental initiatives. This disruption not only hampers the progress of vital welfare schemes but also leads to governance uncertainty. Holding simultaneous elections would mitigate the prolonged enforcement of the MCC, thereby reducing policy paralysis and enabling continuous governance.
3. Mitigates Resource Diversion: The deployment of a substantial number of personnel for election duties, such as polling officials and civil servants, can lead to significant diversion of resources from their core responsibilities. With elections conducted simultaneously, the need for frequent deployment would diminish, allowing government officials and public institutions to focus more on their primary roles rather than election-related tasks.
4. Preserves Regional Party Relevance: Holding simultaneous elections does not undermine the role of regional parties. In fact, it encourages a more localized focus during elections, enabling regional parties to highlight their unique concerns and aspirations. This setup fosters a political environment where local issues are not overshadowed by national election campaigns, thus preserving the relevance of regional voices.
5. Enhances Political Opportunities: Conducting elections simultaneously entails a more equitable allocation of political opportunities and responsibilities within political parties. Currently, it is not uncommon for certain leaders within a party to dominate the electoral landscape, contesting elections at multiple levels and monopolizing key positions. In the scenario of simultaneous elections, there arises greater scope for diversification and inclusivity among political workers representing various parties, allowing a wider range of leaders to emerge and contribute to the democratic process.
6. Focus on Governance: The ongoing cycle of elections across the country diverts attention from good governance. Political parties focus more on election-related activities to secure victories, leaving less time for development and essential governance. Synchronised elections would allow parties to dedicate their efforts to addressing the needs of the electorate, reducing instances of conflicts and aggressive campaigning.
7. Reduced Financial Burden: Conducting simultaneous elections could significantly cut down the financial costs associated with multiple election cycles. This model reduces the expenditure related to the deployment of resources like manpower, equipment, and security for each individual election. The economic benefits include a more efficient allocation of resources and better fiscal management, fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and investor confidence.

What are the challenges of Simultaneous Elections?

1. Major Constitutional Overhaul: Implementing ONOE requires amending several articles of the Indian Constitution, including Articles 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament), 85 (dissolution of Lok Sabha), 172 (duration of State Legislatures), 174 (sessions, prorogation and dissolution of State Legislatures), and potentially 356 (President’s Rule).
2. Impact on Federalism: Critics argue that forcing State Assembly terms to align with the Lok Sabha’s term (either by curtailing or extending them) goes against the spirit of federalism and the autonomy of States. States have their own unique political cycles and democratic mandates, and altering their terms without their full and willing consent is seen as an encroachment on their powers.
3. Nationalization of Elections: In a combined election, there’s a strong possibility that national issues and the popularity of national leaders might overshadow regional and local concerns. Voters might simply vote for the same party at both the central and state levels, influenced by the national narrative.
4. Disadvantage to Regional Parties: Regional parties, which often thrive on local issues and leaders, could be significantly disadvantaged as they might struggle to compete with the resources and broad appeal of larger national parties in a simultaneous election environment. This could lead to a homogenization of political discourse.
5. Reduced Accountability at State Level: If State elections are always tied to national elections, the accountability of State governments to their electorates might be diluted, as their performance could be overshadowed by central government’s achievements or failures.
6. Scenario of Hung Assemblies/No-Confidence Motions: A major challenge is what happens if a government (either at the Centre or in a state) falls prematurely due to a no-confidence motion, a hung assembly, or a split.
7. Massive Scale of Operations: Conducting elections for the entire country (Lok Sabha, all State Assemblies, and potentially local bodies) simultaneously would be an unprecedented logistical challenge. It would require:
   • Enormous Number of EVMs and VVPATs: Far more than currently available, requiring massive procurement, storage, and transport infrastructure.
   • Vast Deployment of Personnel: A huge number of polling officials, security forces, and administrative staff would be needed, diverting them from their regular duties on an unprecedented scale. 

What can be the way forward? (Kovind Committee’s Recommendations)

1. Phased Approach for Synchronization:
   • Phase 1: Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies: The committee recommended that elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies should be held simultaneously.
   • Phase 2: Local Body Elections: Within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, elections to Municipalities and Panchayats should be synchronized.
2. Constitutional Amendments Required: The committee identified the need for significant constitutional amendments to facilitate simultaneous elections. Key proposed amendments/insertions include:
   • New Article 82A: To be inserted into the Constitution to establish the process for transitioning to a system of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. It would empower Parliament to make laws for the conduct of simultaneous elections.
   • Amendments to Articles 83(4) and 172(4): These articles, dealing with the duration of Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures, would be amended to ensure that any Lok Sabha or State Assembly elected to replace a dissolved one would serve only for the remaining unexpired term of the immediately preceding full term, not a fresh five-year term. This is crucial for maintaining synchronization.
   • New Article 324A: To empower Parliament to make laws to ensure that municipality and panchayat elections are held simultaneously with Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
   • Amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951: Necessary changes to the RPA, 1951, to align electoral procedures with the simultaneous election framework.
3. “Appointed Date” and Synchronization Cycle: The President, through a notification issued on the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election, would set an “Appointed Date.” All state assemblies elected after this date would have their terms aligned to conclude at the end of the Lok Sabha’s full five-year term, regardless of their own individual five-year period.
4. Handling Hung Houses/No-Confidence Motions:
   • In the event of a hung House, a no-confidence motion, or any other event leading to premature dissolution, fresh elections would be held.
   • However, the new Lok Sabha or State Assembly constituted after such fresh elections would serve only for the unexpired term of the immediately preceding full term of the House. This ensures that the overall cycle of simultaneous elections remains intact.
   • The report explicitly addresses the scenario where a government might fall prematurely, aiming to prevent the desynchronization that occurred historically.
5. Logistical Preparedness: The ECI should plan and estimate in advance, in consultation with SECs, for all logistical requirements. This includes the procurement of a large number of EVMs and VVPATs, deployment of adequate manpower, polling personnel, and security forces.

Conclusion:
The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has laid the groundwork for a transformative shift in India’s electoral process. By aligning the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the committee’s recommendations promise to address long-standing challenges associated with frequent elections, such as governance disruptions and resource wastage. The proposed phased approach to implementing simultaneous elections, along with constitutional amendments, could pave the way for a more efficient and stable electoral environment in India.