Syllabus: GS 2/Polity and Governance
Recent Context
The Union Cabinet has approved the "One Nation, One Election (ONOE)" plan, which seeks to align state assemblies and Lok Sabha elections across the country. Based on recommendations from a commission led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the plan seeks to amend the constitution to allow for the gradual introduction of simultaneous elections, a substantial change in India's electoral system.
Evolution of Simultaneous Elections in India
The concept of simultaneous elections began with the Government of India Act of 1935, which partially coordinated parliamentary elections. Following independence, this tradition began with the 1952 General Election, in which all state assemblies and the Lok Sabha were elected simultaneously, maintaining political stability through 1957, 1962, and 1967. This cycle was broken, though, by the early dissolution of the State Assembly (1968–1969) and the Lok Sabha (1970), which led to different election schedules.
Efforts to Reintroduce One Nation, One Election (ONOE) Plan
In order to minimize expenses and disturbance, the Law Commission (1999) recommended holding elections simultaneously.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015) emphasized the benefits of ONOE in terms of cost savings and continuity of governance.
NITI Aayog (2017) proposed a path for restoring ONOE.
Advantages of One Nation, One Election
Cost Savings: Simultaneous elections can significantly cut costs for security officers, poll workers, and election materials. The cost of Lok Sabha elections has gone up from ₹10.5 crore in 1951–52 to₹55,000 crore in 2019 and₹1,00,000 crore in 2024 due to the growing scale and complexity of the electoral process. Cutting back on elections might save between ₹7,500 and 12,000 crore, which could then be used for infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Reduced Disruptions: Increased Voter Participation: Repeated elections lead to voter fatigue and lower turnout in by-elections. The 2024 Lok Sabha election saw a turnout of 65.79%. Consolidating elections may alleviate fatigue, reenergize voter participation, and improve turnout by 5–10 percent.
Increased Participation of Voters: Voter fatigue and decreased by-election turnout are two effects of repeated elections. The turnout for the 2024 Lok Sabha election was 65.79%. Consolidating elections could boost turnout by 5–10%, relieve fatigue, and increase voter engagement.
Reducing Electoral Malpractices: Frequent elections can lead to vote-buying, resource misuse, and illegal money power. During the 2024 state assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, enforcement agents recovered almost ₹1,000 crore in cash, freebies, etc. ONOE would improve monitoring and reduce electoral malpractices.
Economic Stability: Frequent elections, like Karnataka’s ₹150 crore loss in 2023 due to disruptions in transport and sales, hinder local economies. ONOE would reduce such interruptions, ensuring stability and growth. The Kovind Committee projects a 1.5% GDP boost and a 17.67% increase in public spending driving economic growth.
Challenges with Implementation of One Nation, One Election Plan
Constitutional and Legal Complexities: A number of constitutional provisions, such as Articles 83, 85, 172, and 356 that regulate the term and dissolution of legislatures, must be amended in order to implement ONOE. In some state assemblies, duration may need to be changed in order to synchronize state elections, which raises questions about their democratic legitimacy. Furthermore, synchronized terms could be disrupted by the abuse of Article 365 (the President’s Rule).
Possible Danger to Federalism: Opponents contend that ONOE may erode state sovereignty by elevating national concerns above regional ones. For example, in the 2019 simultaneous Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections, state-specific concerns like unemployment in tribal areas and agricultural poverty in Odisha received little attention.Excessive centralization could undermine cooperative federalism, according to the Sarkaria Commission (1988).
Democratic Accountability Disruption: Regular elections are an essential tool for holding the public accountable. For instance, voter discontent during the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections resulted in a regime change. This system of periodic inspections may be weakened by ONOE's reduction in election frequency, giving governments more time to put off dealing with pressing issues until the end of their term.
Political Opposition and Lack of Agreement: A number of political groups, particularly regional ones, oppose ONOE because they worry about becoming irrelevant in a synchronized system. During consultations led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, 15 parties opposed the plan, despite 32 parties supporting it.
Disruption from Early Dissolutions: The synchronized election cycle may be disturbed if a state or the federal government dissolves too soon.For instance, unscheduled elections resulted from the overthrow of the governments of Maharashtra in 2022 and Karnataka in 2019. The cost-effectiveness of ONOE would be compromised if election schedules were synchronized, as this would necessitate either conducting interim elections or frequently reimposing the President's Rule.
Global Examples of One Nation, One Election Model
In 2019, Indonesia implemented the "One Nation, One Election" model, with elections for the President, Vice President, and national and regional legislative bodies held on the same day. This idea was further tested in 2024, with approximately 200 million voters participating in five stages of elections, making it the world's largest single-day election.
Similarly, South Africa has simultaneous elections for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures, with municipal elections held on a separate five-year cycle. Sweden, on the other hand, uses a proportional electoral system, with elections for Parliament and local councils every four years and municipal elections every five years.
Way Forward
Pilot Implementation & Flexible Election Cycles: In line with these global examples, India's ONOE implementation could begin with pilot projects. Prior to scaling up, test the ONOE model in union territories such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Chandigarh. Implement flexible election cycles regionally (North, South, East, and West) over a 5- to 10-year period to address governance or security challenges without disrupting national elections.
Digital Electoral System and AI Integration: Create a digital platform that uses blockchain technology to automate voter lists, polling, candidate filing, and results management. Use AI to optimise resource allocation, anticipate voter participation, and identify high-risk locations for better election management.
Conditional Financial Incentives and Contingency Fund: Provide financial incentives to states that coordinate their election cycles with the ONOE, encouraging collaboration without requirements. Create a contingency election fund to cover unforeseen elections, maintaining financial stability, and preventing delays in the ONOE timeline.
Citizen Engagement and Participatory Democracy: Use participatory methods like online surveys, public consultations, and mid-term reviews to ensure accountability and citizen participation throughout the election process.
Digital Voting for Inclusivity: Gradually introduce digital voting for urban migrants and NRIs to reduce administrative complexity and increase participation, hence improving electoral inclusivity.
Conclusion
The "One Nation, One Election" concept aims to boost electoral system efficiency, lower costs, and enhance governance in India. Its successful implementation will require careful planning, modifications to the law, and balancing federal authority with national interests. By using a staged approach and taking lessons from other countries, India can ensure that the reforms lead to a more unified and efficient system.
UPSC Mains Model Question
Q. In India, "One Nation, One Election" is being contemplated as a possible electoral reform. Talk about the benefits and difficulties of putting this plan into place while taking administrative, political, and constitutional factors into account. Draw insights from global examples of similar models and suggest measures for its implementation in India.(250 words)
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