Understanding the 'One Nation, One Election' Proposal: Key Insights and Challenges

The "One Nation, One Election" proposal is one of the most ambitious electoral reforms in India’s recent political landscape. Approved by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this policy aims to synchronize the elections for both the Lok Sabha (India's lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies. While this concept has been discussed for years, recent developments suggest that it could soon become a reality, with the introduction of a bill during the winter session of Parliament.

At its core, the "One Nation, One Election" proposal envisions a system where voters across India cast their ballots for both national and state elections within the same year, though not necessarily on the same day. This approach, supporters argue, would simplify the electoral process and reduce the costs and manpower involved in organizing elections that currently take place on separate timelines.

Background of the Proposal

The idea of synchronized elections is not new. From 1951 to 1967, India held simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, as political dynamics evolved, some states started holding elections independently due to various factors, including premature dissolutions of assemblies. As a result, the Indian electoral calendar became fragmented, with elections happening nearly every year in one or more states.

To address this issue, the Indian government formed a high-level committee in September 2023, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee was tasked with studying international practices and consulting stakeholders like political parties, legal experts, economists, and the Election Commission of India. After reviewing these inputs, the committee submitted a report recommending the implementation of simultaneous elections. The report emphasized the potential for cost savings and improved governance as key advantages of the plan.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a recent press briefing, elaborated on how the elections would be conducted. According to him, the elections will be held in two phases. The first phase would include elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, while the second phase, held within 100 days of the first, would cover local body elections, such as those for municipal corporations and panchayats.

How It Works: One Nation, One Election

The "One Nation, One Election" proposal aims to ensure that all state assembly and Lok Sabha elections occur within the same year. For example, if implemented, Indian voters would elect their state representatives and their members of Parliament in a synchronized manner. While the elections might not happen on the exact same day, they would be close enough to eliminate the current system where different states go to the polls in different years.

This proposal suggests that synchronizing elections could allow governments to focus on governance rather than constantly preparing for upcoming elections. Currently, with multiple states holding elections in different years, there is a near-continuous election season. This hampers long-term policy planning, as politicians must regularly shift their focus from governance to campaign mode. By holding elections simultaneously, this shift could be minimized, allowing elected officials to dedicate more time to their work.

Potential Benefits of the Proposal

One of the main arguments in favour of "One Nation, One Election" is the potential for significant cost savings. Conducting elections separately at the national and state levels requires considerable financial resources, including the cost of deploying security forces, setting up polling stations, and managing the logistics of voting. Simultaneous elections could streamline these processes, resulting in substantial savings.

In addition to financial benefits, synchronized elections could reduce the strain on manpower, particularly security forces. Currently, law enforcement agencies are stretched thin during election season, as they must provide security at polling stations and manage the law and order situation. By reducing the number of elections held, the burden on these agencies would be eased.

Another potential advantage is improved voter turnout. Some experts argue that simultaneous elections could encourage more voters to participate, as they would only need to visit the polling booth once to cast votes for both national and state elections.

Challenges in Implementing One Nation, One Election

While the benefits of synchronized elections are significant, the challenges are equally formidable. Implementing "One Nation, One Election" would require a series of constitutional amendments, which would need to be approved by both Parliament and the state governments.

Five key articles of the Indian Constitution would need to be amended:

• Article 83: Which governs the term of Parliament.
• Article 85: Which allows for the dissolution of the Lok Sabha by the President.
• Article 172: Which outlines the duration of state legislatures.
• Article 174: Which provides for the dissolution of state legislatures.
• Article 356: Which deals with the imposition of President's Rule in states.

These amendments are essential to synchronize the terms of both Parliament and state legislatures. Without them, the proposal would not be legally feasible. However, gaining consensus from state governments and political parties is a complex process, as each state may have different political interests. Additionally, the opposition parties have expressed concerns that simultaneous elections could disproportionately benefit the ruling party by allowing national issues to dominate local concerns, potentially overshadowing regional issues.

Another challenge is the question of how to handle situations where a state assembly or the Lok Sabha is dissolved before the completion of its term. In such cases, elections would need to be held for the dissolved body, potentially disrupting the synchronized schedule.

Logistically, holding elections on such a large scale would also be a massive undertaking. India is the world's largest democracy, and ensuring that all voters can participate in synchronized elections would require extensive planning, coordination, and infrastructure upgrades.

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The "One Nation, One Election" proposal has the potential to reshape India's electoral process, streamlining the system and offering financial and administrative benefits. However, its implementation faces numerous challenges, including constitutional amendments, logistical hurdles, and political opposition. As the government prepares to introduce the bill during the winter session of Parliament, the debate over whether the advantages of simultaneous elections outweigh the challenges is likely to intensify.

Reference: Business Standard