What is One Nation, One Election? Understanding the Working of the Proposal

Recently, a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted a report introducing the government’s proposal of “One Nation, One Election” which advocates holding parliamentary and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously in the country.

The group, which called on the country’s electoral commission, economists and 39 political parties to participate, supports the “one country, one election” proposal. However, it also said a legal and sustainable framework that could recalibrate the electoral cycle was needed.

The report, submitted to India’s current president, Draupadi Murmu, said the committee unanimously agreed that India should hold elections simultaneously.

Let us understand what the One Nation One Election initiative is all about.

What is the “one country, one election” proposal?

The “one nation, one election” formula means that elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) and all state legislative assemblies will be held simultaneously across India. The key elements of the formula are as follows:

  • Elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be held simultaneously, either on the same day or within a specific time period.
  • The move is aimed at simplifying the election process, reducing the frequency of elections, and saving time and resources.
  • The proposal advocates synchronizing the tenure of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to five years.

Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand are set to hold state elections later this year.

The remaining states have a five-year election cycle that is not synchronized.

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While the proposal of “One Nation, One Election” was one of the goals in the BJP’s 2019 manifesto, there are still many challenges to the system. These challenges are conceptual, financial, constitutional and even logistical. The difficulty lies in implementing this proposal to a country as vast as India; a country with huge cultural and topographical differences.

The reason why the government advocates “one country, one election”

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal outlined the rationale behind the government’s ‘one nation, one election’ proposal and mentioned the challenges it might face.

India’s federal law minister told parliament that one of the benefits of holding elections simultaneously is that it saves money. A “one nation, one election” plan would actually cut the cost of stationing security forces and election officials several times a year. Such a plan could also cut the costs incurred by campaigns led by political parties.

Simultaneous elections could also lead to better voter turnout, which currently varies from state to state.

Also Read: List of All Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners of India (1950 – 2024)

How does the One Nation, One Election plan work?

The Constitution must be amended to implement the One Nation One Election plan. The amendment will have to be approved by the state and union territories governments in the country.

Legal experts warn that failure to do so could lead to charges of violating the country’s federal structure.

Articles 83, 85, 172, 174 and 356 of the Indian Constitution need to be amended.

One of the many challenges in implementing the plan is how to deal with a divided situation due to a dissolved House, or a situation where the president is in power, there is ambiguity.

According to Indian opinion polls, the Indian people seem ready to welcome this plan. India has received more than 21,000 proposals. Of all the proposals, about 81% of the people voted in favor of the “One Nation, One Election” plan.

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