One Nation, One Election: Efficiency or Overload?

Minutes before the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on 19th December, the House adopted a resolution recommending the 129th Constitutional Amendment on holding simultaneous elections to a 39-member joint parliamentary committee of both houses.

Proponents believe that it would make the election process efficient, increase the voter turnout and help the political parties shift from ‘election On’ mode to focus more on implementing policies for the development of people.

Due to unsynchronised elections, political leaders have to spend time campaigning, somedays for state elections, somedays for local elections and now we see national figures even in Municipal elections, so the reason seems to be valid. Moreover, conducting the elections at once, wil help in reducing the cost of elections.

However, there are negatives, which outweighs the positives in current scenario. Are we really ready for ONOE?

Firstly, there would be logistical challenges, in implementing ONOE. Huge requirement of manpower and paramilitary forces, in conducting the elections nation wide at once.

Second, it undermines the federal structure of our country.

If the national elections are conducted simultaneously, after five years, the elections will be fought only on the basis of National issues and state issues will be invisible. Let's say Maharashtra, the population of this state is almost equal to the population of UK and France. So, why should we undermine the state issues?

Talk about the expenditures, in the long run cost will decrease, however, in the short run, it will actually increase since almost 40 lakh more EVMs will be needed.

One of the biggest concern is what if the Elections becomes asynchronous again like it happened in election during 1960s?

What is the central government of any state government falls in mid term?

For this the committee suggested the provision of “unexpired term”( amendment 172(4) and 83(4)) So if the elected government falls after 4 years, remaining 1 year is unexpired term and elections will be done to elect a government for that term. But after that 1 year, elections will be conducted again to synchronise central assembly elections. This might lead to even higher frequency of elections, leading to voter fatigue.

Summarising, I believe this decision in the present situation will lead to more harm than good.