One nation one election

Introduction
• The concept of "One Nation One Election" (ONOE) has been a recurring topic in Indian politics,
aiming to synchronize the timing of elections at various levels of government.

Context
• India, a diverse and populous nation, conducts elections at various levels, resulting in frequent
polls. The idea of ONOE arises from the need to streamline this process, reduce costs, and minimize
disruptions caused by continuous elections.

Why in News?
• The ONOE plan has gained significant attention due to its potential to transform India's electoral
landscape. The central government recently formed a panel to explore the feasibility of this plan,
indicating its renewed interest in the concept.

What is the One Nation One Election Plan?

• The One Nation One Election (ONOE) plan is a proposal to synchronize the timing of national and
state elections in India.
• It intends to hold Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously once every five years.
• This approach aims to streamline the electoral process, reduce costs, and minimize disruptions.
• ONOE has gained attention in recent years, with discussions about its feasibility and the need for
constitutional amendments to implement the plan.

Background of One Nation One Election in India

• 1950-1967: Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections were held together after India's Constitution
came into force in 1950.
• 1967: Synchronization ended due to the dissolution of certain Legislative Assemblies.
• 1968-69: 1968-69 led to separate polls for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. The concept was
revived in recent years.
• 1983: The idea of returning to simultaneous polls was proposed in the Election Commission's
report.
• 1999: The Law Commission recommended simultaneous elections in its report.
• 2014 Onward: The BJP government actively advocated for One Nation One Election, reinvigorating
the debate.

What Are the Key Provisions Related to One Nation One Election?
• Synchronization: Simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies once every five years.

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 • Constitutional Amendments: Amendments to Articles 83(2), 172, and 85 of the Constitution
to allow for synchronized elections.
• Legal Changes: Amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Anti-Defection
Law.
• Ratification: The proposal requires ratification by at least 50% of the states.

Key features of the electoral system in India:

• Universal adult suffrage: All citizens above the age of 18 are eligible to vote, regardless of caste,
creed, religion, or gender. This is guaranteed by Article 326 of the Constitution of India.
• First-past-the-post system: The candidate who gets the most votes in a constituency is elected.
This is the system used for elections to the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, and state legislative
assemblies.
• Secret ballot: Voters cast their votes in secret, and their identity is not revealed. This is to ensure
that voters are free to vote for the candidate of their choice without fear of reprisal.
• Independent Election Commission: The Election Commission of India is an independent body
responsible for conducting elections in India. It is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner and is
assisted by two Election Commissioners.

What Is the Need for One Nation One Election?

• Streamlining the Process: ONOE aims to streamline the electoral process, reducing the frequency
of elections and allowing elected officials to focus on governance.
• Cost Reduction: Frequent elections impose significant financial burdens. ONOE can result in
substantial cost savings.
• Enhancing Governance: The constant cycle of elections disrupts governance. ONOE provides an
opportunity for more effective policy implementation.
• Minimizing Disruptions: Frequent elections disrupt essential services and administrative activities.
ONOE would minimize these disruptions.
• Improving Voter Participation: Synchronized elections can potentially lead to increased voter
turnout, as they reduce voter fatigue.

Implementation
• Political Consensus: Implementing ONOE requires a consensus among political parties regarding
changes in the electoral system. This is essential for the plan's success.
• Constitutional Amendments: As mentioned earlier, amendments to various articles of the
Constitution are necessary, such as Articles 83(2), 172, and 85, as well as Article 356 in case of
governance failure.
• Legal Framework Changes: Electoral laws like the Representation of the People Act, 1951, need to
be amended to facilitate organized and stable elections.
• Ratification by States: The ONOE proposal mandates ratification by at least 50% of the states,
emphasizing the need for state-level consensus.
• Complex Logistics: Synchronizing elections in a diverse and populous democracy like India poses
logistical challenges, requiring meticulous planning.

What Are the Constitutional and Legal Challenges?

• The Constitution of India: Article 83(1) of the Constitution of India states that the term of the Lok
Sabha shall be five years. Article 172(1) of the Constitution of India states that the term of a state
legislative assembly shall be five years.
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 • Federalism: The Constitution of India, in Article 1, states that India is a "Union of States."
This means that the states are sovereign entities in their own right, and they have a significant
degree of autonomy.
• Cost: The Election Commission of India estimates that the cost of conducting simultaneous
elections would be around ₹20,000 crore (US$260 billion) every five years.
• Technical challenges: The Election Commission of India has been working on developing a robust IT
infrastructure to support the voting process. However, there are still some challenges that need to
be addressed.
• Political challenges: Some political parties may be opposed to ONE because they believe that it
would give an advantage to larger parties.

What Will Be the Impact of It?

• Cost savings: The Election Commission of India estimates that holding simultaneous elections for
the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies would save the government ₹20,000 crore
(US$260 billion) every five years.
• Improved governance: ONE would help to ensure that there is no disruption in government due to
elections. This would allow the government to focus on its core functions and deliver better
services to the people.
• Increased voter turnout: ONE would make it easier for voters to vote, which could lead to
increased voter turnout. Voter turnout in India is currently around 67%, but it could be higher if
elections were held less frequently.
• Promoted national integration: ONE would help to promote national integration by bringing
people from all over the country together to vote in the same election. This would help to create a
sense of common identity and shared purpose.

What Are the Pros of Implementing Simultaneous Polls?

• Cost Reduction: in the 2019 Indian elections, an estimated ₹60,000 crores were spent, while ONOE
could significantly reduce these expenses.
• Increased Voter Turnout: Synchronized elections can mitigate voter fatigue, leading to higher voter
participation. For instance, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the voter turnout was approximately
67%, which could potentially improve with ONOE.
• Efficient Use of Security Forces: Frequent elections often tie up security forces. Simultaneous polls
would free up these resources for other critical tasks, such as maintaining law and order.
• Focus on Governance: For example, without the distraction of frequent elections, policymakers can
dedicate more time to developmental activities.

What Are the Cons of Implementing Simultaneous Polls?

• Constitutional Glitches: Implementing ONOE requires substantial amendments to the Constitution,
potentially challenging its fundamental principles. For instance, altering Articles like 83(2), 172, and
85 could raise concerns about the Constitution's integrity.
• Anti-Federal Consequences: Critics argue that ONOE could undermine the federal nature of India's
political system by emphasizing national issues over state-specific concerns.
• Impact on Accountability: For example, without the prospect of early elections, officials might not
feel the same urgency to respond to public demands.
• Difficulty in Synchronization: Maintaining simultaneous elections in a diverse democracy like India
poses logistical challenges.

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Countries that have adopted the One Nation One Election (ONE) system:
• France: France has held simultaneous elections for the National Assembly and the Senate
since 1958.
• Mexico: Mexico has held simultaneous elections for the Chamber of Deputies and the
Senate since 1997.
• Brazil: Brazil has held simultaneous elections for the Chamber of Deputies and the
Senate since 2002.
• Sweden: Sweden holds simultaneous elections for the Riksdag (parliament), county
councils, and municipal councils every four years.
• Nepal: Nepal held simultaneous elections for the House of Representatives and the
Provincial Assembly in 2017.

Way Forward
• Constitutional amendment: The Constitution of France was amended in 1958 to allow for
simultaneous elections for the National Assembly and the Senate.
• Improved coordination between the Election Commission of India and state governments: The
Election Commission of India and state governments would need to work together to ensure that
ONE is implemented smoothly.
• Registration of all eligible voters: The Election Commission of India has been working to increase
voter registration in India. As of 2023, there are over 950 million eligible voters in India.
• Public awareness and participation: In 2023, the Election Commission launched a mobile app
called "ECI Suvidha" to help voters register to vote and find information about elections.

Conclusion
• The concept of One Nation One Election presents both opportunities and challenges for Indian
democracy. While it offers cost savings and the potential for more efficient governance, it also
raises constitutional, legal, and accountability concerns. The successful implementation of ONOE
will depend on a well-thought-out strategy and widespread political consensus

Subject relevance -Polity

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