Union Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation, One Election’: A Move to Streamline India’s Electoral System

Union Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation, One Election’: A Move to Streamline India’s Electoral System

The Union Cabinet has given its nod to a significant electoral reform in India, approving the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal. This ambitious plan, which was part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto for both the 2019 and 2024 general elections, advocates for simultaneous elections across the country. Under this system, the Lok Sabha, state Assembly, urban body, and panchayat polls will be conducted at the same time, with the first round expected to be held within the next 100 days. The move marks a turning point in the country’s electoral and governance processes, with the government aiming to streamline the voting system, cut down on the frequency of elections, and enhance economic stability.

Background of ‘One Nation, One Election’
The idea of simultaneous elections is not new. It was practiced in India post-independence until 1967, when elections for both the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies were held simultaneously. However, with the premature dissolution of some state Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, this practice was abandoned, leading to a staggered election cycle across different states. The ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept seeks to revive this earlier model to avoid the frequent electoral disruptions that occur under the current system.

The proposal gained momentum when the government constituted a high-profile panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to study its feasibility and recommend solutions to ensure its smooth implementation. The panel, which included prominent political figures such as Home Minister Amit Shah and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, gave a unanimous recommendation to hold simultaneous elections beginning from 2029, with a preparatory phase in 2024.

Key Recommendations of the Panel
The panel presented several provisions aimed at ensuring the success of simultaneous polls, focusing on the need for electoral, administrative, and legal frameworks to align state and central election cycles. One of the key provisions discussed was the establishment of a ‘unity government’ to address situations where no clear winner emerges or a no-confidence motion disrupts the normal functioning of a state or central government. This would ensure governance stability and prevent frequent elections triggered by political uncertainties.

Additionally, the panel highlighted the potential economic advantages of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ model. By consolidating elections into a single round, resources that are otherwise stretched thin across multiple electoral cycles could be better utilized. It would also save significant public funds, optimize manpower, and reduce logistical challenges associated with conducting elections in the world’s largest democracy.

Advantages of Simultaneous Elections
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ model is expected to transform India’s electoral process and governance in several key ways:

1. Simplified Electoral Process: Synchronizing Lok Sabha, Assembly, and local body elections will streamline the voting process, making it more accessible and manageable for voters. Citizens will no longer have to participate in multiple elections within short intervals, reducing voter fatigue.

2. Economic Growth and Stability: The panel argued that simultaneous polls would facilitate higher economic growth by providing businesses with a stable political environment. Since elections can often cause policy uncertainty, particularly in states where different political parties hold power, a single election cycle would allow corporate firms and businesses to make decisions without fearing adverse policy shifts in the middle of their growth cycles.

3. Optimized Resource Utilization: Conducting elections at one go will significantly reduce the financial and administrative burden on the Election Commission of India, as well as on state and central governments. The money saved from holding fewer elections could be redirected to other critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

4. Reduced Disruption of Supply Chains: One notable advantage mentioned by the panel was the avoidance of disruptions in supply chains and production cycles caused by elections. During elections, migrant workers often seek leave of absence to return to their home states to cast their votes, impacting productivity in industries. Synchronizing elections would mitigate this issue and ensure a smoother workflow across industries during election periods.

5. Addressing Policy Paralysis: The government argues that frequent elections create an atmosphere of uncertainty that hampers decision-making at both the state and central levels. Implementing a single electoral cycle would prevent policy paralysis and provide governments with a stable mandate to implement long-term projects and policies without the constant interruption of elections.

6. Strengthening Governance: A single electoral cycle is expected to foster better coordination between the state and central governments, as it would eliminate the need for different political parties to navigate the complexities of varied election cycles. This is particularly crucial in cases where opposing parties hold power in the state and central governments, leading to delays and conflicts in governance.

Opposition to ‘One Nation, One Election’
Despite the government’s optimism regarding the benefits of simultaneous elections, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. Among the most vocal critics is the Congress party, which has consistently opposed the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge recently called the proposal “impractical and unworkable” while addressing a public gathering in Haryana. He argued that the government was trying to divert the attention of the public from more pressing issues, and that the simultaneous election plan was unlikely to succeed.

Kharge and other opposition leaders have raised several concerns, including the logistical challenges of holding elections across such a vast and diverse country at the same time. They have also warned that implementing the proposal may require constitutional amendments, as many state Assemblies have varying terms, and aligning them with the Lok Sabha election schedule would require cutting short or extending the terms of certain Assemblies. The opposition has also expressed concerns about the potential concentration of power in the hands of the central government, arguing that simultaneous elections could undermine the autonomy of state governments.

Fifteen political parties, including the Congress, have formally opposed the proposal, with many calling for further debate on its practical challenges before any final decisions are made. However, proponents of ‘One Nation, One Election’ have pointed out that 32 political parties, as well as several prominent legal figures, have backed the measure, arguing that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

The Road Ahead
As the government moves forward with its ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan, it faces the dual challenge of gaining broad political consensus and navigating the legal and logistical hurdles involved in its implementation. If successful, the simultaneous election model could revolutionize India’s electoral process, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and conducive to stable governance.

However, the concerns raised by opposition parties, particularly regarding constitutional amendments and the potential impact on the federal structure of governance, will need to be addressed in order to ensure that the reform is widely accepted across the political spectrum. With the first round of simultaneous elections tentatively scheduled to begin in 2029, the coming years will likely see intense debate and deliberation on this landmark proposal.

In the meantime, the government’s approval of the panel’s recommendations marks a significant step toward realizing the BJP’s vision of ‘One Nation, One Election’—a vision that could reshape India’s democratic landscape for years to come.

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