ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION: A STEP TOWARDS ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT

 CONCEPT : "One Nation, One Election" is the need of the hour, which would facilitate accelerated development, thereby benefitting our countrymen. With such a system in place, all political parties, according to their respective ideologies, will be able to better utilize their energy towards development and public welfare," - Ram Nath Kovind, Ex-Hon'ble President of India.

WHY IN NEWS : Recently, the Indian Cabinet approved the "One Nation, One Election" Kovind Committee report, which is expected to be introduced in the next parliamentary session. The Prime Minister of India has also reignited the debate, emphasizing the benefits of simultaneous elections during the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference, held in Kevadiya, Gujarat, on Constitution Day (November 26, 2020). During his address, he called for a single voter list for all polls and urged presiding officers to simplify legal language and eliminate redundant laws.

THE CONCEPT EXPLAINED : The idea revolves around synchronizing the election cycles for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, Municipal Corporations, and Panchayat elections, so that all these elections can be conducted within a single time frame. This unified system promises a drastic reduction in the frequency of elections, ensuring smoother governance and uninterrupted development.

THE RISING COSTS OF ELECTIONS : Election expenditure has seen a sharp rise over the years. The data reveals how costs have skyrocketed, from Rs.10.45 crore in 1952 to an estimated Rs.10,000 crore in 2024, a staggering 103.21 per voter. With One Nation, One Election, such expenses could be curtailed significantly, freeing up resources for developmental projects. (Source the Indian Express & Business Standards)

Year of Election	Expenditure Incurred	No. of Electors	Expenditure per Voter
1952	104500000.00	173212343.00	0.60
1957	59000000.00	193652179.00	0.30
1962	73200000.00	216361569.00	0.30
1967	107969000.00	250207401.00	0.40
1971	116087450.00	274189132.00	0.40
1977	230368000.00	321174324.00	0.70
1980	547739000.00	356205329.00	1.50
1984-85	815434000.00	400375333.00	2.00
1989	1542200000.00	498906129.00	3.10
1991-92	3591024679.00	511533598.00	7.00
1996	5973441000.00	592572288.00	10.10
1998	6662216000.00	605880192.00	11.00
1999	9476831000.00	619536847.00	15.30
2004	10160869000.00	671487930.00	15.10
2009	11143845000.00	716985101.00	15.50
2014	38703456024.00	834101479.00	46.40
2019	60000000000.00	911,950,734.00	65.79
2024	100000000000.00	968,821,926.00	103.21

FEASIBILITY STUDY : Simultaneous elections are not new to India. They were conducted successfully from 1952 to 1967, before being discontinued due to the early dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968-69. Given current circumstances, there is renewed feasibility for implementing this system again, backed by the Law Commission, a parliamentary standing committee, and the Election Commission of India (ECI), which have all supported the idea in principle.

ADVANTAGES OF ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION

1. Cost Efficiency:- It would help reduce election expenses, saving public money.
2. Administrative Relief:- It would lessen the burden on administrative machinery and security forces.
3. Consistent Governance:- Ruling parties would be less tempted to avoid long-term policies for short-term election gains.
4. Unified Electoral Rolls:- A single voter list for all elections would save time, money, and resources by avoiding duplication.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

1. Synchronisation Issues:- Aligning the election cycles of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies could be problematic, especially if a government falls before completing its term.
2. Political Consensus:- Convincing all political parties to agree on the idea could prove difficult.
3. Logistical Hurdles:- Additional polling staff and enhanced security arrangements will be needed, along with a doubled requirement for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).

SUGGESTIONS

1. While the simultaneous elections were successful from 1952-1967, a radical alternative might involve a shift to a presidential system of government to avoid term disruptions.
2. The synchronization of elections to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha could be explored as a starting point.
3. Modifying the state assembly terms to align with the Lok Sabha might require constitutional amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356.
4. A unified voter list for all elections can save costs and effort but will require technological intervention to ensure its adaptability to state election commissions' wards.

WAY FORWARD: India is a diverse and vibrant democracy, but the constant cycle of elections often hinders developmental progress due to the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. A comprehensive study is needed to assess the long-term impact of simultaneous elections and to build consensus among political parties. Public debate on the issue is crucial, as only through widespread discussion can a mature democracy like India arrive at a decision that is beneficial for all its citizens.

CONCLUSION : With the introduction of the "One Nation, One Election" idea, India stands at a crossroads. A well-deliberated move in this direction could be transformative, but it requires a delicate balance between democratic traditions and the need for governance stability. The debate has begun, and the nation watches closely as this idea moves from discussion to potential reality.

[*The author of this article is an independent thinker & Former Booth Level Officer (Best BLO - 2024) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the views are his personal. Connect through Email - anvesandaman@gmail.com]