One Nation One Election Is Need Of the Hour WILL IT BECOME A REALITY

 

Modi-led NDA Government at Centre has taken a major step towards implementing the ``One Nation, One Election’’ initiative, approving the proposal to conduct simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Th e “One Nation, One Election” proposal has sparked debate over its potential impact on India’s democratic framework and federal structure even as the bill was tabled in the Parliament. Despite these concerns, the BJP-led NDA government, which has been a strong proponent of the concept, is pushing to move forward with the plan before the end of its current term.

WHAT IS ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION?

Th e core idea behind “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) is to synchronize elections for both the central and state governments, holding them simultaneously every fi ve years. Th e intent is to reduce the frequency of elections and thereby save time and resources. Th e concept is not new either to India or to several countries which hold simultaneous elections.

Frequent elections oft en lead to a shift in focus from governance to campaigning. By holding elections simultaneously, governments can concentrate on policy and administration without the distraction of repeated election cycles. Th e fi nancial burden of frequent elections has grown substantially. For instance, while the first general elections in 1951-52 cost around `11 crore, the 2019 elections incurred an estimated cost of Ras 60,000 crore. ONOE could reduce these costs and streamline the use of resources, including law enforcement personnel, who are heavily involved in election duties. Frequent elections fuel the need for continuous fundraising, which can foster corruption. ONOE could reduce this by minimizing the number of election campaigns required over a five-year term. Conducting simultaneous elections could streamline voter registration, reducing issues such as missing names from electoral rolls. It will also help ease fi nancial burden on state governments as they may not have to announce populist measures, or freebies, to win voter  support, leading to more stable fi nancial management. Th e Indian Constitution currently mandates that both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies must serve fi Ve-year terms, unless dissolved earlier. If a government collapses mid-term, this could disrupt the synchronized election cycle and create logistical challenges. However, ONOE might conflict with the federal nature of India’s political system, reducing the autonomy of state governments. Additionally, the Law Commission has expressed doubts about the feasibility of simultaneous elections under the current constitutionalframework. Organizing ONOE would require significant resources, including a vast supply of electronic voting machines and trained personnel to oversee the process. Frequent elections allow voters to voice their opinions regularly, holding governments accountable for their actions.  ONOE might dilute this ability, reducing the regular feedback that elections provide. Studies suggest that when elections are held simultaneously, there is a higher likelihood of the same party winning both the national and state elections, potentially undermining the distinction between local and national issues. Implementing ONOE could require significant initial investment in electoral infrastructure. Additionally, some legal experts warn that the idea might confict with constitutional the landmark S.R. Bommai case, which underscores the independent role of state governments.

THE WAY FORWARD

For ONOE to succeed, it is crucial to build a broad consensus among political parties and state governments.  Constitutional amendments would also be required to ensure the legality of the synchronized election process. Furthermore, significant investments in infrastructure—such as electronic voting machines and polling booths—will be necessary to make the plan viable. A legal framework would also need to address potential disruptions, such as the collapse of governments’ mid-term, and voters would need to be educated about the benefi ts and challenges of simultaneous elections. Previous attempts at holding simultaneous elections were made in India, with success in states such as Bihar, Bombay, and Madras until 1967. However, due to frequent premature dissolutions of state assemblies and coalition government collapses, the practice faded over time. The ONOE proposal seeks to revive and modernize this system, but it will require careful planning and widespread political support to move forward. Is it not high time to think of a comprehensives law regulating and disciplining the functioning of parties, making their conduct more transparent, accountable and democratic? While discussing the enormity of political reforms, we also will have to consider reforms in the way our houses of elected representatives, primarily our parliament, function. It would be pertinent to recall what Atal Bihari Vajpayee observed in 1996: “Neither parliament nor the state Vidhan Sabhas are doing with any degree of competence or commitment what they are primarily meant to do: legislative function… Barring exceptions, those who get elected to these apex democratic institutions are neither trained, formally or informally, in law-making nor do they seem to have an inclination to develop the necessary knowledge and competence in their profession. “While it is not easy to walk this reform talk, people of India who want an improved quality of democracy have a strong reason to hope. Aft er all, Modi hai to mumkin hai!

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Courtesy:  R K MATTOO and  Spade A Spade- 2025  JANUARY