The Indian Cabinet has approved the proposal for One Nation One Election (ONOE), based on the recommendations of a High-Level Committee chaired by former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind. ONOE aims to synchronize elections across the country, holding polls for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies such as Municipalities and Panchayats, at the same time.
What is One Nation One Election (ONOE)?
ONOE proposes the simultaneous conduct of elections for various levels of government in India, reducing the frequency of separate elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, and local bodies.
Benefits of ONOE
Reduced Election Costs: The 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone cost approximately ₹60,000 crore. ONOE would significantly reduce the financial burden on the government.
Increased Voter Turnout: Frequent elections can cause voter fatigue, leading to lower participation. Simultaneous elections could improve voter turnout.
Stable Policy Environment: Frequent elections result in the Model Code of Conduct being imposed repeatedly, leading to policy paralysis and disruptions in governance, affecting economic growth and investments.
Improved Public Services: Elections require significant deployment of government officials and security personnel, impacting their ability to deliver essential services. Simultaneous elections would minimize these disruptions.
Roadmap for ONOE Implementation
The High-Level Committee has recommended a two-step process for implementation:
First Step: Conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies without requiring state ratification.
Second Step: Synchronize these with local elections (Municipalities and Panchayats) within 100 days, requiring ratification by half the states.
Additionally, ONOE suggests fresh elections in case of a hung assembly or no-confidence motion, and the use of a common electoral roll for all tiers of government.
Challenges with ONOE
Marginalization of Regional Parties: National parties could dominate the political landscape, reducing the influence of regional parties in state-level governance.
Reduced Accountability: Frequent elections keep politicians accountable to voters. ONOE may reduce this pressure on lawmakers.
Federalism Concerns: The frequent imposition of Article 356 (President’s Rule) in states could undermine the federal structure of India.
Election Fairness: There are concerns that voters might confuse national and state-level issues during synchronized elections, potentially affecting free and fair elections.
ONOE represents a bold step toward electoral reform, with significant potential benefits but also notable challenges to address.
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