Context:

On December 13, 2024, the Union Cabinet of India approved the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) plan, marking a significant step in India’s electoral landscape. The proposal seeks to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and the state legislative assemblies, potentially for the first time in the country’s history. The aim is expected to reduce the frequency of elections, streamline governance, minimize electoral expenditure, and mitigate the disruptions caused by the staggered elections across India.

What is One Nation, One Election (ONOE)?

The concept of One Nation, One Election refers to holding elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies simultaneously. By conducting these elections at the same time, ONOE aims to:

1.    Reduce Election Frequency: The frequency of elections is currently high, with separate elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, leading to election fatigue and high costs.

2.    Streamline Governance: Holding elections at the same time will avoid governance disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct, which comes into effect during election periods and restricts government activities.

3.    Minimize Expenditure: Frequent elections drain public resources. Conducting synchronized elections will reduce the financial burden on both the government and political parties.

4.    Reduce Electoral Disruption: The current staggered elections disrupt daily life and economic activities. A unified election cycle could lead to smoother functioning of the country.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments:

To implement the ONOE plan, several key amendments to the Indian Constitution will be required:

• Article 82A: Aims to facilitate the delimitation of constituencies to synchronize elections.
• Article 83(2): Proposes amendments to the tenure of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to align their terms.
• Article 327: Grants Parliament the power to make provisions for simultaneous elections.
• Article 324A: A new article will empower the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct synchronized elections.

Ram Nath Kovind Committee Recommendations:

A committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind made several key recommendations for implementing ONOE. The committee’s suggestions include:

1.    Reinstating Simultaneous Elections: Frequent elections cause disruption in the economy, polity, and society. Synchronizing elections would reduce this burden.

2.    Phased Implementation: The committee proposed two phases:

o    Phase 1: Align Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.

o    Phase 2: Synchronize municipal and panchayat elections within 100 days of general elections.

3.    Shortened Terms for State Assemblies: New state assemblies will have adjusted terms to synchronize their tenure with the Lok Sabha elections.

4.    Unified Voter Roll and Photo ID System: The committee recommended establishing a single voter roll and photo ID system for all elections to ensure consistency.

Key Challenges and Concerns:

1.    Constitutional Amendments: The implementation of ONOE requires changes to India’s Constitution, which could face political opposition and challenges. These amendments need to be ratified by Parliament and state legislatures.

2.    Federalism Issues: Critics argue that ONOE could undermine India’s federal structure by centralizing electoral power and reducing the significance of regional and state-level issues.

3.    Logistical Complexity: The scale of conducting simultaneous elections across a vast and diverse country like India presents a significant logistical challenge. Coordination and planning will be crucial for ensuring the smooth functioning of ONOE.

4.    Regional Diversity and Representation: India’s diverse political landscape might be at risk of being overshadowed by national issues. Synchronizing elections could potentially limit the representation of regional aspirations in the electoral process.

The Road Ahead:

1.    Wider Consultations: The government must engage with all political parties, state governments, and the public to build consensus on the plan. A broader consultation will help address concerns and ensure that the views of all stakeholders are considered.

2.    Pilot Testing: Implementing ONOE on a smaller scale could be an effective way to identify potential challenges and refine the system before it is rolled out nationwide.

3.    Infrastructure Development: The Election Commission of India (ECI) needs to be equipped with the necessary resources, technology, and personnel to manage the logistics of simultaneous elections. This includes ensuring that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems are available and functioning smoothly.

Urban Local Governments (ULGs) and One Nation, One Election:

·        Urban local governments (ULGs) play a vital role in the decentralization of governance and delivery of essential civic services. Despite the constitutional mandate to hold elections for ULGs every five years, delays are common, often lasting years. This issue has been raised in the discourse surrounding ONOE, and the Government of India has made recommendations for synchronizing ULG elections within 100 days of the general elections. However, there is a need for deeper analysis to address the root causes of delays in ULG elections.

·        The disempowerment of State Election Commissions (SECs) is another key issue that hampers the timely conduct of ULG elections. Independent authorities, such as the SECs, should be entrusted with responsibilities such as ward delimitation and reservation processes to ensure free and fair elections.

Conclusion:

The One Nation, One Election plan presents an ambitious approach to streamline India’s electoral process and reduce the disruptions caused by frequent elections. While the proposal promises several advantages such as reduced expenditure, better governance, and increased voter turnout, it also faces significant challenges, including the need for constitutional amendments, political consensus, and logistical coordination. The involvement of stakeholders across the country, along with pilot implementation and infrastructural development, will be critical for the success of ONOE. Additionally, the implementation of ONOE should consider the synchronization of elections for Urban Local Governments to ensure timely representation at all levels of governance.