'One Nation, One Election': Toward Simultaneous Polls

Q: What do you understand by 'One Nation, One Election'? Discuss the steps taken by the Govt. of India in this regard. Give arguments in favour and against the arrangement.

'One Nation, One Election' refers to the proposal of holding Simultaneous Elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies. The objective is to synchronize the electoral cycles so that voters cast their ballots for both tiers of government on a single day or within a specific time window.

1. Steps Taken by the Government of India

  • High-Level Committee (HLC): In 2023, the Govt. constituted a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility and recommend a Constitutional Framework.
  • Law Commission Consultation: The 22nd Law Commission has been working on a formula to synchronize terms, including a "mid-way" alignment for states whose terms end far from the Lok Sabha cycle.
  • Cabinet Approval (2024): Following the HLC report, the Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations in late 2024, proposing a two-phase roll-out (Lok Sabha and Assemblies first, then Local Bodies within 100 days).

2. Arguments in Favour

  • Reduced Expenditure: Minimizes the massive financial burden on the exchequer and political parties caused by frequent elections.
  • Governance over Campaigning: Frequent Model Code of Conduct (MCC) impositions lead to Policy Paralysis; simultaneous polls allow governments to focus on long-term development.
  • Social Harmony: Reduces the continuous state of political mobilization and polarization that frequent elections often foster.

3. Arguments Against

  • Federal Challenges: Critics argue it undermines Regional Interests, as national issues might overshadow local concerns, favoring larger national parties.
  • Constitutional Hurdles: Implementing it requires amending Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174, and potentially Article 356, requiring a 2/3rd majority in Parliament and ratification by half the States.
  • Logistical Nightmares: Requires a massive scale-up of EVMs and VVPATs and the deployment of security forces on an unprecedented scale.

Definition of Key Term

Constructive Vote of No-Confidence: A mechanism where a government can only be removed if the legislature simultaneously agrees on a successor. This is proposed to prevent the premature collapse of synchronized terms.

Conclusion

Simultaneous elections were the norm in India until 1967. While Efficiency and Fiscal Prudence favor the move, the Democratic Diversity and Federal Spirit of India require a broad Political Consensus before such a transformative change is institutionalized.

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