Understanding ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill that was approved by Cabinet in Parliament Session

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill. This Bill is about holding elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies (like panchayats and municipal corporations) at the same time. The government plans to present this Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calls this idea a ‘historic reform’. They believe it will save money, reduce election costs, and improve governance. Prime Minister Modi has always supported this idea and says it is necessary for today’s political system.

Talking about the background of the proposal, In September, the Union Cabinet agreed with the recommendations of a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. This high-level committee proposed that elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies should happen together. They suggested doing this in phases after gaining approval from all states.

The committee worked for 191 days, consulting many stakeholders, experts, and researchers. After completing their study, they gave their report to President Droupadi Murmu.

The committee for the One Nation, One Election proposal included several prominent members. Home Minister Amit Shah was part of this group, along with Ghulam Nabi Azad, the former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Other members included NK Singh, the former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, and Dr. Subhash C Kashyap, a former Lok Sabha Secretary General. Harish Salve, a senior lawyer, and Sanjay Kothari, the former Chief Vigilance Commissioner, were also part of the committee. Additionally, Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Minister of State for Law and Justice, attended as a special invitee. Dr. Niten Chandra served as the Secretary of the committee.

Now, let’s focus on how it will work?

To implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan, the government plans to introduce three bills. Two of these bills will require changes to the Constitution to allow simultaneous elections.

The first constitutional amendment bill will enable Lok Sabha and state assembly elections to take place together. It suggests adding a new provision, Article 82A, which will set a common ‘appointed date’ for elections. This bill will also make sure that the terms of both Lok Sabha and state assemblies end at the same time.

The second constitutional amendment bill will focus on voter lists and election management. It will require approval from at least half of the state assemblies. This bill aims to streamline the electoral roll (voter list) and ensure that the Election Commission of India works closely with State Election Commissions to coordinate local body elections.

The third bill will align the election schedules of Union Territories, such as Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir, with the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This will require amendments to three existing laws: the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

By passing these bills, the government hopes to create a synchronized electoral system that reduces the frequency of elections while ensuring efficiency in governance.

Now, let’s get deep into it.
What is ‘One Nation One Election’ (ONOE) and why do we need it?

One Nation, One Election means that elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies will be held together at the same time. Currently, these elections are conducted separately at different times.

India’s scattered election schedule highlights the need for ONOE. For example, this year, 2024, Haryana voted for its 10 Lok Sabha seats in May and held Assembly elections just 130 days later in October. Maharashtra followed a similar pattern, and Delhi is set to hold Assembly elections in February 2025. These frequent elections continue year after year, with several states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala gearing up for polls in 2026.

The financial cost of running these elections is enormous. In 2024 alone, political parties are estimated to spend around ₹1,00,000 crore on campaigns, rallies, advertisements, and logistics. In comparison, the 2019 general elections cost approximately ₹60,000 crore, making them the most expensive elections globally. If these funds were invested in infrastructure, education, and economic growth, India could potentially see a significant boost in its GDP.

Political leaders, especially in the run-up to elections, have been known to make remarks like ‘Sikhs should be separated from the rest of the people in this country’ or ‘People from this caste should be divided from people of that caste’. Such statements not only polarize communities but also promote ‘dirty politics’, i.e, a strategy that distracts from meaningful debates about governance and policy.

Why? Because they know, every other month, there is a chance of manipulating people’s perception.

Taking the live example of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, opposes the ONOE plan, arguing that it would weaken regional power and centralize authority. However, this view seems disconnected from the situation in West Bengal, where the state is grappling with issues like lawlessness, political violence, and widespread student protests. Despite her claims to defend federalism, the state’s governance faces authoritarian practices, with allegations of political suppression and inefficiency in law enforcement.

And not just this, opposition parties believe that, if ONOE will come in power, then their so-called internal strategy will suffer, because they don’t get an edge over people’s minds.

Now, Is this ONOE a sudden game, or does it have a history of players?

India practiced ONOE from 1952 to 1967, when Lok Sabha and state assembly elections were held together. This helped maintain political stability and focused on national development rather than constant campaigning.

The first general election in 1952 was a success, and this continued in 1957 and 1962, ensuring governance stability. However, by 1967, political instability in some states led to the breakdown of the system, and separate elections were introduced.

Lastly, What changes now, we can assume after ONOE?

Implementing ONOE could bring several positive changes to India. First, it would reduce the financial burden of holding frequent elections, freeing up resources that could be used for development and welfare programs, boosting the nation’s economy. Additionally, ONOE would offer more stability in governance, allowing governments to focus on long-term policy goals instead of preparing for constant elections. This could lead to a decrease in political polarization and divisiveness, promoting unity across the country.

ONOE would also streamline the electoral process, making it easier for voters to participate and reducing confusion. It would help regional parties focus on governance instead of election campaigns. In the long run, ONOE is expected to create a more stable political environment, cut costs, and shift the government’s focus toward national development rather than constant election cycles.