One Nation One Election

After Reading This Article You Can Solve This UPSC Mains PYQ:

Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to “one nation-one election” principle. 10 Marks  (GS-2, Polity)

Introduction

The concept of One Nation One Election refers to a system where elections to the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and Local Bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities) are held simultaneously within a synchronized timeframe.

Historical Background of One Nation One Election (ONOE)

• The Norm (1951–1967): Simultaneous elections were the standard practice in India for the first two decades post-independence (1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967).
• The Disruption: The cycle was broken in 1968 and 1969 due to the premature dissolution of several State Legislative Assemblies (e.g., Haryana, UP) and the Lok Sabha itself in 1970.
• Institutional Support:Law Commission (170th Report, 1999): Recommended returning to simultaneous elections to ensure stability.
  • Election Commission (1983): First mooted the idea after the cycle was disrupted.
  • NITI Aayog (2017): Published a working paper advocating for a two-phase synchronization.

Significance of One Nation One Election (ONOE)

1. Enhancing Governance and Policy Continuity

• Ending “Policy Paralysis”: Frequent Model Code of Conduct (MCC) impositions halt new welfare schemes and infrastructure projects. ONOE ensures uninterrupted governance and long-term structural reforms.
• Focus on Delivery: Shifts leadership focus from “permanent campaign mode” to administrative execution, providing a stable four-to-five-year window for performance over populist optics.

2. Economic and Fiscal Significance

• Massive Cost Savings: Reduces duplicated logistical and security expenditures. Synchronized polls curb the massive public and private capital drained by frequent election cycles.
• Boosting GDP Growth: Minimizes economic uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions caused by rallies. The HLC suggests a potential 1.5 percentage point boost to real GDP growth.
• Controlling Inflation: Limits the periodic surges in money supply triggered by massive, decentralized election spending, aiding macro-economic stability.

3. Administrative and Security Efficiency

• Optimal Resource Deployment: Prevents the repetitive diversion of CAPF and civil staff (like teachers) from their primary duties, ensuring better internal security and consistent public services.
• Single Electoral Roll: Streamlines the process through a common voter list and Single EPIC, eliminating data duplication and reducing the administrative burden on the ECI and State Election Commissions.

4. Impact on the Democratic Fabric

• Checking Populism: Encourages fiscally responsible “hard” decisions over short-term “freebies” typically announced to influence immediate state-level outcomes.
• Curbing Corruption: Fewer elections lower the constant pressure for political fundraising, potentially reducing the role of “black money” in the electoral process.
• Increasing Voter Turnout: Combats “voter fatigue” and facilitates participation for migrant workers who can vote for multiple levels of government in a single trip.

Challenges of One Nation One Election (ONOE)

1. Constitutional and Legal Hurdles

• Major Amendments: Requires amending Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356. These govern the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Ratification by States: Amendments related to the “Union-State” balance and local bodies (73rd/74th Amendments) require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures under Article 368.
• Mid-term Collapse: A major dilemma arises if a government falls mid-tenure. The current proposal for “unexpired terms” (only serving the remaining period) may lead to frequent “interim” elections, defeating the purpose of ONOE.

2. Threat to Federalism

• Erosion of State Autonomy: Forcing states to align their terms with the Center is seen as an encroachment on their independent constitutional existence (S.R. Bommai case).
• Marginalization of Regional Parties: National issues often overshadow local concerns in synchronized polls. A study by the IDFC Institute suggests a 77% probability of voters choosing the same party for both Center and State when elections are simultaneous.

3. Logistical and Operational Complexity

• EVM/VVPAT Shortage: The ECI would need nearly double the current number of voting machines. This involves massive manufacturing costs and significant storage/warehousing challenges.
• Security Deployment: Providing adequate security (CAPF) for a nationwide synchronized poll is a daunting task, potentially stretching the country’s internal security apparatus thin.

4. Impact on Democratic Accountability

• Reduced Frequency of Feedback: Staggered elections act as a “mid-term review,” keeping governments accountable. ONOE might lead to “accountability only once in five years.”
• Voter Confusion: Voters may struggle to distinguish between national-level mandates (e.g., Foreign Policy) and state-level issues (e.g., Water/Roads) when casting multiple votes on the same day.

5. Political Resistance

• Lack of Consensus: Many regional and opposition parties view ONOE as a move toward a “Unitary State” or a “Presidential” style of governance, leading to significant political pushback and lack of a unified national vision on the reform.

Recommendations of the High-Level (Kovind) Committee

The High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Ram Nath Kovind (2024) recommended a Phased Approach:

• Step 1: Synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. This would not require ratification by the states.
• Step 2: Synchronize local body elections (Panchayats/Municipalities) within 100 days of the general elections. This would require ratification by at least half of the states.
• Single Electoral Roll: Preparation of a common electoral roll and single ID card (EPIC) for all three tiers.
• Unexpired Term: In case of a hung house or no-confidence motion, the new house would only serve for the remaining (“unexpired”) period of the 5-year cycle.

Global Practices

• South Africa: National and provincial elections are held simultaneously every five years.
• Sweden: Elections for the national legislature (Riksdag), regional councils, and local councils are held on the same day (second Sunday of September).
• Germany: Follows a “Constructive Vote of No-Confidence,” where a government cannot be toppled unless an alternative government is already in place. This ensures the term is completed and prevents premature elections.
• Indonesia: Indonesia demonstrates that high-volume simultaneous voting is logistically possible but extremely taxing on administrative staff (leading to health concerns for polling workers in past cycles).

Way Forward

1. Phased Implementation (Two-Step Approach)

• Phase I: Synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies. This step focuses on the top two tiers of governance.
• Phase II: Synchronize Local Body elections (Panchayats and Municipalities) with the first phase, ensuring they are conducted within 100 days of the general elections.

2. Constitutional and Legal Framework

• Appointed Date: The President should notify an “Appointed Date” (e.g., in 2029) to trigger the synchronization. Terms of assemblies ending after this date would be adjusted to align with the Lok Sabha.
• Minimum Amendments: Focus on essential changes to Articles 83 and 172 to define “unexpired terms,” ensuring the cycle is not broken by mid-term dissolutions.

3. Institutional Mechanisms for Stability

• Handling Hung Houses: In the event of a No-Confidence Motion or a hung house, fresh elections should be held only for the remainder of the five-year cycle (the “unexpired term”), rather than a full new five-year term.
• Constructive Vote of No-Confidence: Explore the German model where a government cannot be removed unless an alternative government is ready, ensuring the legislature completes its synchronized tenure.

4. Logistical Preparedness

• Vast Scale-up: The Election Commission must proactively plan for the massive procurement of EVMs and VVPATs (nearly double current levels) and develop specialized storage and security protocols for a nationwide single-window election.

5. Building Political and Social Consensus

• Bipartisan Dialogue: Since ONOE impacts the federal structure, a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or a similar body should facilitate open deliberations with regional parties to address fears of “national issues overshadowing local ones.”
• Public Awareness: Conduct voter education programs to explain the benefits (reduced costs, governance continuity) and the process of casting multiple ballots, ensuring high democratic participation.

Conclusion

While One Nation One Election offers a blueprint for administrative and financial efficiency, its success depends on balancing the need for stability with the foundational principles of Federalism and Democratic Accountability.