On 17th December, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposing One Nation, One Election (ONOE), was introduced in Lok Sabha by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. It was subsequently referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed deliberation following a vote of 269 in favour and 196 against it.
The bill will introduce key amendments to Articles 82, 83, 172, and 327 of the Constitution of India to enable simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It mandates that the term of State Assemblies will align with the five-year term of the Lok Sabha even if a mid-term dissolution takes place.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha after a proposal for the same was passed by the Union Cabinet on 12th December. This bill, when passed, will mark a major step towards synchronising Lok Sabha, state assembly, and local body elections in the country. The proposal was based on the recommendations of a high-powered committee led by the former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. The aim of this bill is to streamline the electoral process in the country.
Former President Kovind described ONOE as a transformative step for the all-round progress of the Indian population. While speaking at an event in Kolkata, he emphasised that ONOE has the potential to automatically boost the GDP growth of the country by 1-1.5%. He remarked, “For the all-round progress of the Indian population, this model is competent… The day our economy rises to 10%-11%, our country will be in line with the top 3rd-4th economies of the world.”
The committee led by former President Kovind was constituted on 2nd September 2023. The report was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu. ?The submitted report spans 18,626 pages. The committee’s report was an outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts, and research conducted over 191 days.
Benefits of One Nation, One Election
Promotes consistency in governance
Frequent elections disrupt governance at every level. Political parties often shift their focus from policy-making to campaigning. Under the current system, political leaders and legislators spend a lot of their time preparing for elections. As a result, their attention gets diverted from governance to political strategies. ONOE will help in refocusing efforts on developmental activities and the implementation of policies that are welfare-oriented. It will allow uninterrupted governance for both the Centre and the states.
Prevents policy paralysis
When elections are announced at the state or central level, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into force automatically. It leads to routine administrative delays and hampers the roll out of critical welfare programs. According to data from the Election Commission of India, MCC enforcement during elections causes months of policy paralysis. ONOE will reduce repeated and prolonged enforcement of MCC, which will ensure that there is continuity in governance and developmental activities.
Take the example of Maharashtra. MCC was in place during the Lok Sabha elections, and in less than six months, MCC was again in place for the state assembly elections. Such repeated MCC enforcement paralyses the government from moving ahead with development and welfare projects.
In 2017, NITI Aayog published a report that noted that elections at various levels result in the loss of 3-4 months of effective governance every year. With the help of ONOE, such downtime can be eliminated in the future, which will ensure that governments focus consistently on governance and not on planning for the next elections.
Mitigates resource diversion
At the time of elections, significant human and financial resources are deployed, which include polling officials, security personnel, and administrative staff. According to the High-Level Committee’s report, ONOE would reduce the frequency of such diversions, which will enable public institutions to focus on their core responsibilities.
Reduced financial burden
Conducting elections in India is among the most expensive across the world. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone cost over ₹60,000 crore. When elections take place repeatedly, the cost adds up exponentially, draining essential resources. These resources, if not spent on elections, could be allocated to infrastructure and welfare programs. One Nation One Election could significantly reduce the expenditure and would create fiscal space for development projects.
In his statement, former President Kovind said that the implementation of One Nation One Election would enhance investor confidence and economic efficiency, which will eventually position India for sustained growth.
Preserves regional party relevance
Those who oppose ONOE often argue that such initiatives will undermine the role of regional parties. However, the committee’s report says otherwise. It highlighted that synchronised elections would, in fact, preserve and amplify the relevance of regional issues. When state and national elections take place simultaneously, regional parties will get a broader platform to raise local concerns without getting overshadowed by national campaigns.
Enhances political opportunities
The ONOE model will provide better representation to regional and new players in the political landscape as it will reduce the dominance of a few leaders within political parties. When elections happen during different times at national and state levels, it allows only a limited number of individuals to contest multiple elections. It monopolises leadership roles.
Take the example of Akhilesh Yadav. He has contested both state and national elections. Currently, he is an MP from UP, but there is no guarantee that he will not contest the state elections scheduled for 2027. Simultaneous elections will help in diversifying political opportunities and encouraging new leaders to emerge. It will help in enhancing democratic inclusiveness, which is essential for sustaining a democracy like India.
Focus on governance
The ongoing election cycle has resulted in parties prioritising short-term political gains over long-term development goals. Governments announce projects just before MCC imposition to gain votes. However, if elections take place simultaneously, political parties and governments will dedicate their efforts to good governance. They will address the needs of the voters rather than concentrating on electoral gain.
Boosts economic growth
In his remarks, former President Kovind said that implementing One Nation One Election could directly contribute to the economic growth of the country. It will minimise governance disruptions and financial wastage. It will help in creating a conducive environment for growth and development. He noted that such a system will help in increasing India’s GDP, which will enable India to compete with the largest economies of the world.
The way forward
The ONOE represents a bold and transformative reform in the democratic framework of India. Its implementation will require constitutional amendments, political consensus, and significant investment in electoral infrastructure. However, the cost of implementing this system will be recovered over the years as repeated elections will no longer occur.
As affirmed by former President Kovind, ONOE will not only drive all-round progress but will also enhance the economic trajectory of the country. Careful planning, broad-based consensus, and a commitment to democratic principles will reshape the electoral process of the country, ensuring stability, efficiency, and development.
