What is One Nation One Election, How Does it Work, Advantages & Disadvantages

One Nation One Election means holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously across India. The idea is to reduce costs, avoid governance disruptions caused by frequent elections, and streamline the democratic process. First practiced between 1951 and 1967, the model has gained renewed attention with the government exploring its feasibility through expert committees and recent constitutional discussions.

Key Highlights:

• Needs constitutional amendments and cycle alignment across states.
• Cuts election costs and administrative burden significantly.
• Ensures uninterrupted governance by reducing Model Code of Conduct delays.

One Nation One Election News 

Former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has raised serious constitutional concerns before the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the One Nation One Election Bill (Constitution 129th Amendment). 

He warned that the proposed legislation grants the Election Commission of India (ECI) “unfettered discretion” under Clause 5 of Article 82A. This allowed it to postpone state assembly polls even when general elections are scheduled which would potentially undermine India’s federal structure. 

Sanjiv Khanna cautioned that such provisions may violate Article 14 (equality before the law) and lead to indirect imposition of President's Rule, allowing the Union government to effectively control state governments. 

Similar concerns echo earlier objections raised by other former CJIs like U.U. Lalit, J.S. Khehar, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ranjan Gogoi, and Jagdish Singh Kehar, highlighting the need for constitutional safeguards and balance.

What is One Nation One Election?

One Nation One Election means holding elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and eventually Panchayats and Municipalities together in a synchronized manner. From 1951 to 1967, India followed this model successfully. 

However, premature dissolutions of certain state assemblies and the Lok Sabha in the late 1960s disrupted the cycle. Since then, India has been conducting multiple elections each year, creating high administrative and financial costs.

The Law Commission of India (170th Report) recommended reconsidering this system to improve efficiency. If implemented, the concept would ensure elections only once every five years, covering both central and state levels simultaneously.

How Does One Nation One Election Work?

The implementation requires two major steps:

1. Synchronizing Lok Sabha and State Assembly Elections: Constitutional amendments would be needed, but these do not require ratification from states for this stage.
2. Including Panchayat and Municipality Elections: Local body polls must be conducted within 100 days of the general election. This step requires ratification by at least half of the states.

This phased approach is expected to reduce political resistance while aligning the electoral cycles gradually.

Historical Background of One Nation One Election

• India conducted simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 1951–52 till 1967.
• The first three general elections (1952, 1957, and 1962) were held together in a single electoral cycle.
• The cycle broke in 1968–69 due to premature dissolutions of some State Assemblies.
• The Fourth Lok Sabha was dissolved early in 1970, leading to elections in 1971.
• The Fifth Lok Sabha’s tenure was extended till 1977 during the Emergency, further disrupting the cycle.
• In later years, many Lok Sabhas were dissolved prematurely, while State Assemblies also faced similar disruptions.
• This led to the current pattern of staggered elections, with polls happening at different times across the country.

Advantages of One Nation One Election

The advantages of One Nation One Election extend beyond cost reduction, as it can strengthen governance and improve political stability.

• Simultaneous Elections reduce voter fatigue and increase turnout.
• One Nation One Election ensures policy stability and economic growth.
• It prevents disruptions in production and supply chains, especially for migrant workers.
• Reduces government expenditure and optimizes resource use.
• Provides more time for governance and public service.
• Cuts election-related disputes, saving time and judicial resources.
• Saves efforts of political workers, officials, and security forces.
• Mitigates social conflict by holding elections once every five years.

Challenges Of One Nation One Election

Implementing One Nation One Election in India faces several challenges, including syncing and adjusting electoral cycles across states.

• Constraints exist in financial, logistical, conceptual, legal, and constitutional aspects, particularly considering the size, cultural diversity, and geographical differences of the country.
• A Constitutional amendment is required to implement this concept, and it must be ratified by all state governments, union territories, and possibly major political parties.
• One of the biggest challenges is aligning the terms of the state legislative assemblies with the Lok Sabha's term.
• Another significant challenge arises if a state or central government faces a no-confidence motion or is dissolved before its term ends. In such cases, it would be impractical to request all other states to hold fresh elections simultaneously.

One Nation One Election means conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies, streamlining the electoral process to once every five years. The ongoing debate highlights that implementing One Nation One Election in India will require not only political consensus but also legal reforms and practical readiness to balance efficiency with democratic representation.