The concept of “One Nation, One Election”, also referred to as simultaneous elections, is a proposal that suggests holding elections for the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament) and all the State Legislative Assemblies at the same time. This idea has been the subject of widespread debate and discussion in India’s political and constitutional landscape. The goal is to streamline the election process, reduce the cost of conducting multiple elections, and ensure governance without frequent disruptions caused by recurring election cycles.
The proposal has gained momentum in recent years, with the government showing a keen interest in its implementation. It seeks to reform India’s electoral system by making the process more efficient and less costly, while also addressing concerns about governance paralysis due to continuous election campaigns.
The Government of India is considering a proposal called One Nation, One Election that aims to synchronize all of the nation’s elections on one day or within a set time. Elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies of all 28 states and eight union territories—two of which are Delhi and Puducherry—will be held concurrently, according to one of its most noteworthy proposals.
Historical Context
Simultaneous elections were once a norm in India. After India’s independence in 1947, the first general election in 1951-52 saw elections for both the Lok Sabha and various state assemblies conducted simultaneously. This practice continued until 1967. However, over time, as some state assemblies were dissolved prematurely and fresh elections were held, the synchronization between the Lok Sabha and state elections was lost.
For instance, in 1971, the early dissolution of some state assemblies led to staggered election cycles, and this has been the trend ever since. The call for returning to simultaneous elections was first revived during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, with the Law Commission of India and the Election Commission reviewing the feasibility of such an idea.
The state legislative assembly elections and the first few general elections after independence took place at the same time. The simultaneous election system was interrupted, even though the practice persisted until 1967 as a result of the early dissolution of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969. Since 2014, when he was Gujarat’s chief minister, Narendra Modi has argued that holding simultaneous elections will prevent public funds from being wasted and maintain the flow of development projects, which would otherwise be halted by the model code of conduct.
The Law Commission of India published a draft report in August 2018 that called for holding all direct elections in the nation—from panchayats to the Lok Sabha—at the same time and in the same year. It stated that the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act of 1951, the Constitution, and the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies must be made in to hold such simultaneous elections.
Additionally, the commission suggested that at least 50% of the states ratify the amendments. The commission listed the following benefits of holding simultaneous polls: saving public funds; lessening the burden on the security forces and administrative infrastructure; timely implementation of government policies; and administrative focus on development activities rather than electioneering.
Objectives of One Nation, One Election
The idea of One Nation, One Election stems from the following objectives:
- Cost Efficiency: Conducting elections at different times requires significant financial resources. Simultaneous elections aim to reduce the financial burden on the Election Commission, state and central governments, political parties, and candidates. According to various reports, frequent elections cost billions in terms of logistical expenses and security arrangements.
- Less Frequent Disruption: Repeated elections at the state and national levels can slow down governance, as political leaders and government officials often remain occupied with campaign-related activities. Simultaneous elections would ensure that both central and state governments can function without frequent disruptions, as elections would be held at fixed intervals.
- Focus on Governance: With multiple elections occurring throughout the year, political parties often shift focus from governance to campaigning. By conducting elections simultaneously, leaders can focus more on implementing policies and running efficient governments between election cycles.
- Reducing Electoral Fatigue: The Indian electorate has to vote multiple times within short periods for Lok Sabha, state assembly, municipal, and panchayat elections. Simultaneous elections could reduce voter fatigue and increase voter turnout, as citizens would only need to vote once in a set time frame.
- Reducing Corruption and Black Money: Frequent elections are believed to contribute to the rise of illicit money in circulation, as political campaigns often involve the distribution of unaccounted money and goods. A single election cycle could potentially reduce the amount of money spent on election campaigns.
High-Level Committee
On 2 September 2023, the Government of India formed a high-level committee to examine the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Elections were held simultaneously from 1951-52 to 1967, but this cycle was disrupted, resulting in elections occurring almost every year, leading to high costs, diversion of resources, and disruption of development activities. The Law Commission, in its 170th report, recommended a return to simultaneous elections, and the Parliamentary Standing Committee also proposed a phased approach in its 2015 report. In light of these considerations, the committee recommended implementing simultaneous elections.
Ram Nath Kovind, the former president of India, will serve as the committee’s chairman. Additional participants in this committee include:
- Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
- Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Law Minister
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, parliamentary leader of the Indian National Congress (the largest party in the Opposition) in Lok Sabha
- Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
- NK Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission
- Dr Subhash C Kashyap, former Secretary General of Lok Sabha
- Harish Salve, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court
- Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
| Formation | September 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To propose rules that may be necessary in such circumstances and to suggest amendments to the Constitution and other laws in this regard. To suggest a framework for synchronization of elections, including the phases and time frame within which simultaneous elections may be held if they cannot be held in one go. |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Secretary-General | Dr. Niten Chandra |
| Chairman of the Committee | Ramnath Kovind |
| Key people | Amit Shah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, N.K Singh, Dr. Subhash C.Kashyap, Harish Salve, Sanjay Kothari, Arjun Ram Meghwal |
| Parent organization | Government of India |
| Website | https://onoe.gov.in/ |
Challenges and Criticism
While the idea of One Nation, One Election offers several advantages, it faces significant challenges and criticism:
- Constitutional and Legal Changes: Implementing simultaneous elections would require major constitutional amendments. Under the current framework, the term of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies is fixed at five years unless dissolved earlier. Holding simultaneous elections would necessitate either extending or curtailing the terms of some assemblies, which raises constitutional questions.
- Political Consensus: The political landscape in India is highly diverse, with multiple parties ruling at the central and state levels. Achieving consensus on simultaneous elections is challenging, as different political parties have different interests and strategies. Regional parties may resist the idea, fearing that simultaneous elections might dilute their influence or nationalize local issues.
- Logistical Complexity: India is a vast country with over 900 million eligible voters. The logistics of conducting simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are immense, encompassing security arrangements, polling booths, and personnel management. The Election Commission must ensure a smooth and fair electoral process on such a massive scale.
- Impact on Federalism: Critics argue that simultaneous elections could undermine the federal structure of India. State elections focus on local issues, while national elections focus on broader, countrywide concerns. Simultaneous elections might lead to national narratives overshadowing state-specific issues, potentially influencing voters’ decisions at the state level.
- Potential for Governance Crises: If simultaneous elections are implemented and a state government falls mid-term, it raises the question of how to handle the situation. Would the state remain under President’s Rule until the next election cycle, or would fresh elections be conducted? This dilemma could lead to governance issues, especially in politically volatile states.
Recent Developments
The government has taken steps to explore the feasibility of simultaneous elections. The Law Commission of India, in its 2018 report, suggested a phased approach to implementing One Nation, One Election, with some elections being synchronized over time.
In September 2023, the government formed a high-level committee to explore the possibility of implementing simultaneous elections. The committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is tasked with studying the legal, constitutional, and logistical requirements of the proposal and providing recommendations.
International Examples
Several countries have adopted a system of simultaneous elections. For instance:
- South Africa holds elections for both its national parliament and provincial legislatures at the same time.
- Sweden conducts simultaneous elections for its national parliament, county councils, and municipal assemblies.
- Belgium: Federal and regional parliament elections occur on the same day.
- Indonesia: Has experimented with simultaneous elections at various levels.
These examples demonstrate that simultaneous elections can be a practical and effective governance tool in some countries. Although simultaneous elections can be beneficial, it’s important to recognize the diverse political, social, and legal contexts of different countries.
Some important facts
- Historical Precedent: Simultaneous elections were the norm in India from 1951-52 to 1967. People held both Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections together during this period.
- Break in Cycle: The premature dissolution of some state assemblies and the Lok Sabha in 1968-69 disrupted the cycle of simultaneous elections, leading to staggered elections.
- Objective: The primary goal of One Nation, One Election is to reduce election-related costs, minimize disruptions to governance, and ensure stable development without the constant application of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
- Cost Saving: Conducting frequent elections involves enormous financial resources, both for the government and political parties. Simultaneous elections aim to significantly reduce this expenditure.
- Law Commission’s Recommendation: In its 170th Report, the Law Commission of India recommended returning to simultaneous elections, stating it would reduce election fatigue and ensure stability in governance.
- Phased Implementation: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice suggested implementing simultaneous elections in phases to gradually synchronize election cycles across the country.
- Constitutional Amendments: Implementing One Nation, One Election would require amendments to key constitutional provisions, including Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174, which govern the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Political Consensus: Achieving political consensus is a significant challenge. Regional parties and state governments may oppose the idea, fearing national issues might overshadow local concerns in a combined election.
- High-Level Committee: In September 2023, the Indian government constituted a high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to explore the feasibility of simultaneous elections and recommend steps for its implementation.
- Impact on Governance: Simultaneous elections are expected to reduce governance disruptions caused by frequent elections and the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, which restricts policy decisions during election periods.
- Logistical Challenges: Conducting elections simultaneously across India, with over 900 million eligible voters, would require significant logistical planning, especially in terms of security and personnel.
- International Examples: Countries like South Africa, Indonesia, and Sweden conduct simultaneous elections for different levels of government, providing potential models for India to consider.
- Potential Impact on Federalism: Critics argue that One Nation, One Election might undermine the federal structure by focusing more on national issues and sidelining state-specific concerns.
- Voter Fatigue: One benefit of simultaneous elections is that it can reduce voter fatigue by consolidating multiple elections into a single cycle, potentially increasing voter turnout.
- Alternate Solutions: If we cannot fully implement simultaneous elections, we could consider a phased approach or partial synchronization of elections as intermediate steps toward the goal.
Conclusion
The concept of One Nation, One Election presents a promising reform for India’s electoral system, with potential benefits in terms of cost savings, governance efficiency, and electoral engagement. However, we need to address significant constitutional, political, and logistical challenges before implementing such a system.
For this idea to materialize, it will require widespread political consensus, a phased approach, and careful consideration of India’s diverse federal structure. If implemented effectively, One Nation, One Election could transform India’s electoral process and governance landscape, ensuring a more streamlined and cohesive approach to democracy.
Read Also
- National Identity Card India
- Foundation Day of States in India
- The Foundation of States in India
- List of Important Days
- States and Capitals of India – 2024
- PAN 2.0: Revolutionizing India’s Tax System
- Languages of India
- Top Research Centers in India
- Indian States Zones
- India’s International Borders
- Major Stadiums in India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
“One Nation, One Election” refers to the idea of holding simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha (the national Parliament) and the State Legislative Assemblies across India. The goal is to conduct all elections at the same time, reducing costs, minimizing disruption, and ensuring smoother governance.
Significant amendments would be needed, particularly to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Indian Constitution, which deal with the duration of Houses of Parliament and state legislatures.
This is a key challenge. If a state government falls mid-term, a decision would need to be made on whether to hold fresh elections for that state or impose President’s Rule until the next simultaneous election cycle.
There is concern that national issues may overshadow regional concerns during simultaneous elections. Regional parties may find it harder to highlight local issues if state and national elections are held together.
No, it is not new. India initially followed the practice of holding simultaneous elections until 1967. The idea was revived and recommended by the Law Commission of India in its 170th report and has been gaining attention in recent years.
Simultaneous elections would reduce the frequency of the Model Code of Conduct being in force. The MCC often halts government decision-making and the launch of new projects. By holding elections once every five years, these disruptions would be minimized.