Answer

Introduction

The proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election’ seeks to synchronise Lok Sabha and state assembly polls into a single cycle. Endorsed by the Ram Nath Kovind committee and backed by the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, it promises governance efficiency and cost savings  but also raises concerns over federalism, accountability, and democratic vibrancy.

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Potential Benefits of Simultaneous Elections

• Governance Efficiency: Reduces time lost in frequent campaigning, enabling leaders and bureaucracy to focus on policy implementation.
  Eg: Model Code of Conduct disruptions would occur less often, improving coordination between state and national governments.
• Cost Savings in Election Management: Cuts repetitive spending on logistics, manpower, and security for multiple elections.
  Eg: 2014 general election cost about 0.03% of GDP; combined polls could lower aggregate expenses.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: Minimises repeated deployment of government staff and security forces.
  Eg: Central paramilitary forces have doubled since the 1990s, but simultaneous polls could streamline deployment.
• Lower Voter Fatigue: Holding fewer elections may improve turnout by reducing repetitive voting demands.
• Improved Policy Continuity: Aligned terms could allow smoother project execution without frequent MCC restrictions.
• Greater Political Stability: Aligned polls might reduce mid-term political uncertainty if major mandates coincide.

Challenges of Simultaneous Elections

• Threat to Federalism: Uniform election cycles could erode state autonomy and regional political diversity.
  Eg: Constitutional Amendments concerning the term of the state legislative assemblies under Article 172 can be carried out without ratification by states.
• Reduced Democratic Accountability: Fewer election cycles limit voters’ ability to signal discontent mid-term.
• Implementation Complexity: Aligning all terms requires dissolving assemblies at once, a politically sensitive step.
  Eg: The 129th Constitutional Amendment proposes one-time dissolution to synchronise elections.
• Risk of More Frequent By-elections: Mid-term collapses would still lead to interim polls for unexpired terms.
  Eg: Votes of no-confidence could trigger multiple elections within the same cycle.
• Mixed Evidence on Voter Turnout: Simultaneous polls may not boost participation as much as expected.
  Eg: Assembly polls post-general elections often see turnout exceeding national elections.
• Legal and Parliamentary Requirements: Amendments to multiple constitutional provisions (e.g., Articles 83, 172, 327) and to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 are required.
• Potential Central Overreach: Broad ECI powers to delay polls risk undermining state governance.
  Eg: Could expand use of the President’s Rule and central control.

Targeted Reforms for Effective Electoral Process

• Reform the Model Code of Conduct: Shorten MCC duration and exempt essential governance actions to reduce disruption and provide statutory backing for its enforcement.
• Transparent Political Funding: Ban cash donations and require Aadhaar verification for all contributions.
  Eg: Align ₹2,000 cash limit with ₹20,000 disclosure threshold to curb opaque funding.
• Reduce Election Phases: Shorter polling schedules can cut MCC impact without ending staggered polls.
  Eg: 2024 general election as mammoth exercise lasted over 43 days, second longest in history after first parliamentary elections of 1951-52.
• Cluster State Polls Mid-term: Use “One Nation, Two Elections” to balance efficiency with state autonomy.
• Align Local Body Polls with National/State Elections: Synchronising local elections saves resources while keeping assembly polls separate.
  Eg: Coordinate municipal and panchayat polls with higher-level elections.
• Strengthen State Leadership Capacity: Empower regional leaders to reduce reliance on national figures in local campaigns.

Conclusion

Simultaneous elections could yield governance and cost efficiencies, but risks undermining federalism, mid-term accountability, and democratic dynamism. A cautious path focusing on MCC reform, transparent funding, phased poll reduction, and clustering cycles can preserve India’s vibrant multi-level democracy while improving efficiency. As seen with other ‘One Nation’ policies like GST and One Nation One Ration Card, reform design must balance national integration with state autonomy for sustainable success.

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