Introduction
India, the world’s largest democracy, holds elections almost every year. The idea of “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) seeks to align the election cycles of the Lok Sabha (national parliament) and State Legislative Assemblies to hold them simultaneously, either on a single day or within a short time frame.
The idea has received growing political and legal attention. In September 2023, the Indian government formed a High-Level Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility of implementing this ambitious proposal.
Background of the Concept
🕰️ Historical Context
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India initially followed a synchronized electoral cycle after independence.
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The first general election was held in 1951–52, and simultaneous polls continued until 1967.
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This cycle broke down due to premature dissolution of assemblies and no-confidence motions.
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Since then, states and the centre have had separate election cycles, often leading to election fatigue and policy paralysis.
📢 Revival of the Idea
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The concept was proposed in various Law Commission and Parliamentary Standing Committee reports.
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PM Narendra Modi has actively advocated for ONOE since 2016.
Key Objectives and Benefits
💰 1. Cost Reduction
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Conducting elections is expensive — both for the government and political parties.
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ONOE could save thousands of crores in repeated election expenditures.
🗳️ 2. Reduced Policy Paralysis
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The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) restricts new projects and policy announcements during elections.
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With ONOE, MCC would be enforced only once in five years, ensuring smooth governance.
🚫 3. Minimized Voter Fatigue
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Frequent elections cause voter exhaustion and low turnout in local or mid-term elections.
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A single, well-planned election could increase participation and engagement.
📺 4. Reduced Political Polarization
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Constant electioneering leads to divisive rhetoric and populist politics.
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ONOE could enable parties to focus more on governance than perpetual campaigning.
Major Challenges and Concerns
⚖️ 1. Constitutional and Legal Hurdles
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Implementing ONOE would require multiple constitutional amendments, including:
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Article 83 (Duration of Parliament)
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Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures)
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Article 356 (President’s Rule)
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Changes must be ratified by half the states, making it a politically sensitive process.
🧩 2. Federalism at Risk?
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Critics argue ONOE undermines the federal spirit by centralizing election authority.
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States might lose autonomy in choosing the timing of their democratic process.
🗓️ 3. What If Government Falls Mid-Term?
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A key logistical issue is managing cases where State Assemblies or the Lok Sabha are dissolved early.
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Options like caretaker governments, fresh mandates, or synchronizing with the next election cycle need constitutional backing.
🗳️ 4. Logistical and Security Burden
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Organizing simultaneous elections for over 900 million voters, with millions of polling booths and EVMs, is a massive task.
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Additional demands on security forces, election officials, and electoral infrastructure would arise.
High-Level Committee (2023)
👥 Members and Purpose
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Formed on September 2, 2023, led by Ram Nath Kovind.
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Includes legal experts, politicians, and former bureaucrats.
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Mandated to:
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Examine legal framework
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Suggest amendments
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Consult with stakeholders, including political parties and Election Commission of India
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📋 Expected Outcomes
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A comprehensive report with legal pathways, constitutional changes, and implementation strategy.
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Possible recommendation for a phased implementation model.
Stakeholder Opinions
✅ Supporters Say:
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Enhances governance efficiency
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Saves taxpayer money
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Reduces populist and identity politics
❌ Opponents Say:
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Violates the spirit of federalism
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Is impractical and undemocratic
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Could favor national parties over regional ones
International Comparisons
| Country | Election Type | Synchronization Status |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Presidential and Congress | Fixed cycles every 4 years |
| UK | Parliament | General elections every 5 yrs |
| Germany | Bundestag and Länder elections | Generally not synchronized |
| South Africa | National and provincial | Held simultaneously |
Unlike many democracies with fixed terms, India’s frequent no-confidence motions and state-level political shifts make synchronization difficult.
Possible Alternatives
Instead of full-scale synchronization, India could explore:
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Two-Phase Election Cycles: Grouping states into two clusters.
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Fixed Term Assurance: Avoid premature dissolution except under extreme cases.
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Technological Reforms: Use blockchain or e-voting to cut cost and boost efficiency.
Conclusion
“One Nation, One Election” is a visionary but complex electoral reform. While the benefits — reduced costs, consistent governance, and less frequent campaigning — are clear, the constitutional, political, and administrative roadblocks are formidable.
The future of ONOE will depend on political consensus, legal clarity, and the ability to protect the federal structure while aiming for national coherence.
India must strike a balance between efficiency and democratic diversity to ensure that electoral reform strengthens — not weakens — its vibrant democratic roots.