Introduction:

The “One Nation, One Election” Bill is approved by the Union Cabinet: The argument over holding elections at the same time gets more heated. Critics contend that it jeopardizes federalism and regional representation, while supporters contend it will increase efficiency. The bill’s ramifications are still out in the air as Parliament gets ready to debate it.

The “One Nation, One Election” Bill has been cleared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet to be submitted during the current Winter Session of Parliament.

The law has long been on the agenda of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which wants to make it easier to hold simultaneous elections throughout the nation. These bills have previously been approved by the Union Cabinet, according to reports citing sources.

Two measures were agreed by the Cabinet on Thursday: one to change the constitution to allow for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies, and another to hold simultaneous assembly elections in union territories such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.

According to a September report, the Modi administration had given its approval for the “One Nation, One Election” plan to be implemented. Given that the Winter Session of Parliament is now in session, its approval is noteworthy. According to reports, the Modi administration intends to present the law during this session and forward it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for additional review. November 25 marked the start of the Winter Session, which will end on December 20.

“One Nation, One Election”: what is it?

If this plan is carried out, the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies (rural and urban) will all have elections in the same year, if not at the same time. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind turned in a report in March. Simultaneous elections have the potential to change the electoral process, according to the analysis. The first move suggested was to hold local body elections within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The panel also recommended procedures to deal with defections, hung verdicts, and early dissolution of legislatures or the Lok Sabha.

What Comes Next?

The government will now introduce the legislation in Parliament after the Modi Cabinet approved the panel’s recommendations and the suggested laws. Parliament will have to approve two bills: one for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, and another for the municipal and panchayat elections. In order to ensure that local body elections are held within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the Kovind panel suggested two phases of constitutional amendments: first, simultaneous elections for the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha; and second, coordinating municipal and panchayat elections with these elections.

The panel also recommended changes that would allow the Election Commission of India to create a single voter list and EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) after consulting with state election commissioners. At least half of the states would need to ratify these amendments.

Obstacles to Come

At least five articles of the Constitution would need to be changed in order to implement the “One Nation, One Election” idea. The government may find it difficult to get these amendments approved by Parliament.

The Position of the BJP

The BJP has stressed the importance of holding simultaneous elections ever since it came to power in 2014. This plan was approved by the NITI Aayog in 2017, and it was brought up by then-President Ram Nath Kovind during a joint session of Parliament the following year.

The Law Commission published a draft report in August 2018 that looked at the constitutional and legal implications of simultaneous elections. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the necessity of synchronized elections in his statement on Independence Day in 2019.

The BJP’s 2014 and 2019 election manifestos also included this idea. The BJP would work with other parties to develop a strategy for holding assembly and Lok Sabha elections concurrently, according to the 2014 platform. This will provide some stability for state administrations and lower election-related costs for governments and political parties. A reasonable modification of the spending caps will also be taken into consideration.

Reasons in Support

Simultaneous elections, according to supporters, would improve voter convenience, lessen voter fatigue, and boost turnout. Furthermore, holding elections at the same time for all three tiers of government would avoid supply chain and production cycle interruptions brought on by migrant workers taking time off to cast ballots. Additionally, it would lessen the exchequer’s budgetary burden

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The Viewpoint of Supporters

The “One Nation, One Election” movement’s proponents contend that holding elections frequently puts a significant financial strain on the government’s finances. The frequent deployment of security troops and government representatives interferes with their normal responsibilities. Furthermore, the Model Code of Conduct’s (MCC) frequent enforcement causes policy paralysis and delays the execution of developmental initiatives.

Criticism from the Opposition

The plan has drawn criticism for being “impractical and cruel.” The bill has been fiercely opposed by the Congress party, which has called it “against the fundamental framework of democracyOn December 12, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP for prioritizing what he described as “misguided issues,” claiming it went against the spirit of democracy and the Constitution.

Chief Minister MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu also voiced his dissatisfaction, describing the plan as “draconian” and “anti-democratic.” He cautioned that it would damage federalism, stifle local voices, and interfere with governance. “The Union Cabinet’s approval of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill is an impractical and anti-democratic move that will erase regional voices and destroy federalism,” Stalin said, urging citizens to fight what he called an attack on Indian democracy. India, get up! Let’s do everything in our power to thwart this attack on democracy.

Reasons Opposed to

The idea, according to opposition parties, will reduce the diversity of political debate and marginalize regional political groups. They worry that it will make national debates more uniform, which will make it more difficult for states and minor parties to bring their issues to the attention of the country.

Historical Background

India conducted simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies during its initial four general elections. It was possible at the time because the Congress party controlled both the federal and state governments.

However, when the Congress party decided to hold early Lok Sabha elections in 1967, the synchronization came to an end. Only four states currently hold state and Lok Sabha elections at the same time: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.

Important Points

The proposal’s goal is to coordinate state assembly and Lok Sabha elections, which could change India’s electoral landscape.
Reluctance Fears: Detractors claim it will undermine the democratic system and silence local voices.

Legislative Obstacles: The bill’s implementation necessitates extensive constitutional revisions, which may encounter strong opposition in Parliament.
A new clause in the constitution: Under the direction of former President Ram Nath Kovind, a high-level committee suggested adding a new Article 82A (1). This clause would provide the President the authority to announce a “fixed date” for the Lok Sabha’s first convening following general elections.

Election Commission Timetable and Readiness

According to sources, the suggested schedule is more practical for the Election Commission (EC), which will be primarily in charge of carrying out the “One Nation, One Election” strategy across the country.

“Building political consensus and getting the bill passed in Parliament is just the beginning,” a senior European Commission source clarified. After that comes the true challenge. The EC will have to spend a lot of time purchasing new Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in order to hold simultaneous elections for the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha.

According to the insider, it would ideally take the EC two and a half to three years to double the number of EVMs that are needed. It might take seven to eight months only to source CPUs and other parts. Manufacturers like ECIL and BEL, on the other hand, would need to increase their production capacity in order to ramp up to such numbers overnight. We’re looking at a three-year timeline, realistically,” the official said.

Implementation Challenges by 2029

The EC would have major logistical obstacles in putting the reforms into effect, even if the government were to reach a political agreement and adopt the measure by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. This minimizes the possibility of mistakes or unanticipated events. “The individual further stated, “Even with the bill being approved within a year, the timeline remains challenging if the aim is to hold simultaneous elections by 2029.”

Kovind Committee Recommendations

Under the direction of former President Ram Nath Kovind, the high-level group suggested submitting a third law for simultaneous local body elections, with a clause requiring them to be held “Within a span of 100 days following the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.”

These suggestions have not yet been taken into account, though. Since state election commissions oversee local body elections, constitutional modifications would also need the consent of at least 50% of states. Ward lines would also have to line up with the appropriate assembly constituencies.

A new Article 82A(1), which requires the President to announce a “fixed date” for the first Lok Sabha meeting following general elections, was proposed by the Kovind Committee. Article 82A(2), another clause, proposes to match elected state assemblies’ terms to the Lok Sabha’s entire term, possibly shortening their tenure if needed.
2034 is the earliest possible implementation.

The first simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies may take place in 2034 if the Cabinet-approved laws pass Parliament without changes.

The recommendation to announce the “fixed date” during the inaugural meeting of the Lok Sabha, which was elected in 2029, is the source of this timetable. The next full Lok Sabha term will conclude in 2034, as the current Lok Sabha’s first sitting has already concluded.

The EC’s logistical challenges

There are many obstacles for the EC, which is principally in charge of carrying out this enormous logistical transformation. An EC official underlined that it will take time to order and deploy the necessary number of EVMs for simultaneous polls.

Important concerns include:

EVM Production: Considering the time needed to source materials and scale up production at manufacturing facilities, doubling the number of necessary EVMs would take at least three years.
Enhancement of Capacity: It would take time for manufacturers such as ECIL and BEL to significantly expand their manufacturing capacities.
Tight Deadlines: The schedule is very tight to achieve error-free deployment by 2029, even with prompt legislative approval and political unanimity.

Although the “One Nation, One Election” proposal has gained traction, major operational, legal, and logistical obstacles must be overcome before it can be put into action. Making this ambitious goal a reality would depend heavily on the Election Commission’s preparedness and capacity to follow suggested timetables.
Furthermore, according to Election Commission (EC) sources, the Commission would have very little time to undertake the required preparations, even if the government is able to reach an agreement and “Grant approval for the proposal either by late 2025 or early 2026.”. There would be very little opportunity for mistakes or unforeseen circumstances.

According to an EC insider, “If the goal is to conduct simultaneous elections in 2029, this timeline is very tight, even if the bill is passed within a year.”

Kovind Committee Recommendations

A third bill to hold simultaneous elections for local bodies was also suggested by the Kovind Committee. One hundred days following the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, this bill suggests holding these elections utilizing a single voter list.

Government sources, however, stated that these suggestions have not yet been taken into account.
Modifications and State Acceptance

Since state election commissions oversee local body elections, at least 50% of the states would need to approve these modifications before they could be put into effect.

Along with the suggested adjustments for generating a single voter list, ward borders would also need to be in line with the pertinent Assembly constituencies.

Conclusion:

To sum up, the “One Nation, One Election” campaign is a bold and revolutionary idea that seeks to restructure India’s electoral system by holding elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, and local governments at the same time. The plan faces several obstacles even though it has received a lot of support because it has the ability to increase efficiency, lower electoral costs, and lessen policy gridlock. These include constitutional modifications, logistical challenges, and fierce resistance stemming from worries about how it might affect regional representation and federalism.

Building political support and removing operational obstacles will be key to the success of this idea as the government gets ready to present the required legislation in Parliament. A key factor in achieving this goal will be the Election Commission’s capacity to fulfill the rigorous deadlines and logistical demands.