Subject: Indian Polity

The debate over 'One Nation, One Election' has gained momentum with the formation of a High-Level Committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine its feasibility. The astronomical cost of ₹55,000 crores in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, with projections reaching ₹1.35 lakh crores for 2024, underscores the financial implications of frequent elections.

Arguments in Favor of Simultaneous Elections

• Cost Reduction: Synchronized elections would significantly reduce expenditure on electoral logistics, security arrangements, and administrative resources.

• Policy Continuity: Minimizes disruption to development programs due to frequent implementation of Model Code of Conduct.

• Governance Efficiency:

  • Allows governments to focus on administration rather than perpetual election cycles.
  • Reduces the burden on security forces and government machinery.

• Voter Convenience: Single-time voting could increase voter participation and reduce election fatigue.

Challenges to Democratic Accountability

• Federal Structure Impact:

  • May undermine the federal principle of separate electoral mandates.
  • Could lead to nationalization of local issues, overshadowing state-specific concerns.

• Reduced Electoral Accountability:

  • Limited opportunities for voters to express dissatisfaction with governments.
  • India's declining accountability index (0.429 in 2023 from 0.471 in 2022) raises concerns.

• Power Imbalance:

  • May favor national parties over regional ones.
  • Risk of national narrative dominating state-level discourse.

Way Forward for Implementation

• Constitutional Safeguards:

  • Need for robust mechanisms to protect state autonomy.
  • Clear provisions for handling premature dissolution of assemblies.

• Phased Implementation:

  • Gradual synchronization to address logistical challenges.
  • Pilot projects in select states to assess impact.

The implementation of simultaneous elections requires careful balancing between administrative efficiency and democratic principles. While the potential for cost savings is significant, the cornerstone of democracy lies in maintaining robust accountability mechanisms through Article 324 (Election Commission's independence) and preserving the federal structure under Article 1 of the Constitution.