Satyabrat Borah
(satyabratborah12@gmail.com)
For many years, India has widely discussed the concept of One Nation, One Election. It aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (the national Parliament) and all State Legislative Assemblies across the country. This proposal suggests that instead of having elections frequently in different states and at the national level, a single, synchronized electoral process should take place once every five years. This concept has been proposed as a way to save time, money, and resources and to make governance more stable and effective. It is an ambitious idea that could bring significant changes to the Indian political and administrative system if implemented.
India is the largest democracy in the world, with elections playing a vital role in shaping its future. The country has elections at different levels, including the national level, state level, and local level. Each election requires extensive preparation, such as the deployment of security forces, arrangement of polling stations, printing of ballot papers, and training of election officials. These activities demand significant financial resources, manpower, and time. The concept of One Nation, One Election suggests that these efforts can be streamlined by conducting elections simultaneously, thereby reducing the frequency of election-related work and saving resources.
Frequent elections have their own set of challenges. They often lead to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, which puts a temporary halt on new government schemes and policies. This affects the pace of development work and delays important decisions. Politicians and officials also get occupied with election campaigns that divert their focus from governance. Additionally, frequent elections can lead to political polarization, where parties are more focused on short-term gains rather than long-term development. One Nation, One Election aims to address these issues by reducing the number of elections and ensuring a more stable governance environment.
The idea of simultaneous elections is not new to India. After gaining independence in 1947, the country conducted its first general election in 1951-52, followed by state assembly elections. For the first two decades, elections at both levels were conducted together. However, over time, due to the dissolution of some state assemblies and other political changes, the election cycles became unsynchronized. This led to the current situation where elections are held at different times in different states, resulting in a continuous election cycle.
One Nation, One Election seeks to bring back the practice of synchronized elections. Proponents of this idea argue that it will bring several benefits. One of the main advantages is the reduction in election expenditure. Organizing elections is a costly affair, and simultaneous elections can significantly cut down these costs. It will also save time and effort for the Election Commission of India, which can focus more on improving the electoral process rather than constantly conducting elections.
Another benefit of One Nation, One Election is the reduction in political disruptions. During elections, there is often a lot of political activity, including rallies, speeches, and debates. While these are important for democracy, they can sometimes disrupt normal life and governance. With fewer elections, such disruptions will be minimized, allowing governments to function more smoothly. It will also give politicians more time to focus on their responsibilities rather than being in a constant election mode.
This idea could also strengthen national unity. Simultaneous elections can create a sense of collective participation, as people across the country will vote at the same time. It can promote a broader discussion on national issues, rather than just local concerns. This can lead to a more unified approach to addressing the challenges faced by the nation.
Despite its potential benefits, implementing One Nation, One Election is not without challenges. India is a diverse country with different states having their own unique political, social, and economic situations. Aligning all state elections with the national election will require significant changes to the Constitution and electoral laws. It will also require a consensus among all political parties, which can be difficult to achieve.
Another challenge is the possibility of unforeseen political situations. In a democracy, governments can fall due to lack of majority or other reasons. If this happens mid-term, it could disrupt the synchronized election cycle. A mechanism will need to be put in place to address such situations, such as interim governments or other temporary arrangements.
The opposition to this idea also raises concerns about the impact on federalism. India follows a federal structure, where states have significant autonomy. Critics argue that One Nation, One Election could centralize power and reduce the importance of state-level issues. There is also the concern that simultaneous elections might overwhelm voters with too many choices at once, leading to confusion or voter fatigue.
Despite these challenges, the idea of One Nation, One Election continues to be discussed and debated. Several committees and experts have been tasked with studying its feasibility. In recent years, the government has expressed a strong interest in exploring this concept further. Efforts are being made to understand its implications and to address the concerns of various stakeholders.
One Nation, One Election is a bold and ambitious idea that has the potential to bring significant changes to India’s electoral system. It promises benefits such as cost savings, reduced disruptions, and more efficient governance. However, it also poses challenges that need to be carefully considered and addressed. For this idea to become a reality, it will require extensive planning, widespread consensus, and a commitment to preserving the democratic values of the country. While the debate continues, it is clear that this concept has sparked an important conversation about how to make India’s democracy more efficient and effective.