Poll reform : Consensus is a prerequisite for ONOE

BJP MP PP Chaudhary, chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Bills on simultaneous polls, has stated that the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) reform could become operational by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. According to him, the panel has found that “almost 99 per cent of stakeholders, particularly from civil society and various organisations, favour simultaneous elections.” A balanced assessment of ONOE requires looking beyond political rhetoric to gauge its constitutional, administrative and democratic implications. The proposal continues to draw strong objections from some Opposition parties, constitutional experts and advocates of federalism. The challenge is to develop a mechanism that is acceptable to all concerned.

The case in favour of ONOE rests largely on economic efficiency and smoother governance. Frequent elections involve substantial financial costs, leading to repeated imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. The JPC has cited studies estimating that synchronised elections could save nearly Rs 7 lakh crore by reducing disruptions to administration, industry, tourism and public services. Supporters also argue that uninterrupted five-year cycles would enable governments to focus on long-term development, policy implementation and investment.

However, there is much more to elections than potential gains in terms of money and governance. ONOE risks diluting India’s federal structure by subordinating state-level political priorities to national narratives. The constitutional mechanism proposed to synchronise electoral cycles, particularly the possibility of curtailing or extending the tenure of legislatures or holding elections only for the remainder of a term, needs to be discussed thoroughly. Concerns have also been raised about granting the Election Commission wider discretionary powers in managing synchronisation. Electoral convenience should not erode a level playing field. The onus is on the JPC to adopt a calibrated approach so that the reform ensures efficiency as well as democratic integrity.