One Nation, One Election: A Game Changer or a Challenge for Indian Democracy?

India, the world’s largest democracy, conducts elections almost every year at the national, state, and local levels. While elections are essential for democratic governance, frequent polls often lead to governance disruptions, increased administrative burdens, and high financial costs. To address these challenges, the concept of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) has been proposed. This initiative aims to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections to streamline the electoral process and improve governance efficiency.

However, while the idea promises several benefits, it also comes with significant challenges. Let’s explore both the advantages and the obstacles of implementing One Nation, One Election in India.

Advantages

ONOE could bring significant benefits, including cost savings, better governance, and improved voter participation.

Cost Efficiency

Elections in India involve massive financial expenditure. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone cost approximately ₹60,000 crores, excluding the additional costs of state elections. A synchronized election cycle could significantly reduce these expenses, allowing funds to be redirected toward development projects and public welfare initiatives.

Improved Governance and Policy Stability

Frequent elections force governments to shift their focus toward electoral strategies instead of long-term policymaking. Additionally, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) restricts new policy announcements and development activities during elections. A single election cycle would ensure stable governance without repeated interruptions.

Higher Voter Turnout

Voter fatigue often leads to lower turnout in state elections compared to general elections. If all elections are held together, more citizens may participate, leading to a more representative democracy.

Reduced Administrative and Security Burden

Conducting elections requires extensive deployment of security forces, election officials, and administrative staff. Frequent elections strain these resources and disrupt regular law enforcement duties. Holding elections simultaneously would streamline the process and reduce logistical pressures.

Challenges and Concerns of One Nation, One Election

Despite the potential benefits, implementing ONOE is not without its challenges. Several constitutional, political, and logistical issues need to be addressed before such a system can be adopted.

Impact on Federalism and State Autonomy

India follows a federal structure where states have independent governance. If elections are synchronized, a critical question arises: what happens if a state government collapses before completing its term? Would the state remain under President’s Rule until the next election cycle? This could undermine the autonomy of state governments.

Need for Constitutional Amendments

To implement ONOE, multiple constitutional amendments would be required, including changes to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, such a reform would require political consensus among all parties, which may be difficult to achieve given India’s diverse political landscape.

Impact on Regional Parties and Local Issues

A single election may shift focus toward national issues, potentially sidelining regional concerns. This could disadvantage regional parties that primarily address state-specific matters. In a country as diverse as India, ensuring fair representation of regional interests is crucial.

Logistical and Security Challenges

With over 900 million voters and lakhs of polling stations, conducting nationwide elections simultaneously would require massive administrative coordination and security arrangements. Managing voting infrastructure, ballot distribution, and electronic voting machines across the entire country at the same time would be a challenging task.

Is India Ready for One Nation, One Election?

While ONOE offers potential benefits such as cost savings, better governance, and reduced electoral fatigue, its implementation requires careful planning and broad political consensus. A possible alternative could be holding elections in a phased manner, grouping states into election cycles rather than conducting all elections simultaneously.

The debate around One Nation, One Election continues, with strong arguments on both sides. The key question remains: Should India prioritize governance efficiency, or does the risk of undermining federalism outweigh the benefits?

For A Business Consultancy

Visit: www.winsobusiness.com