India's electoral framework conceptually transforms around the idea of "One Nation, One Election (ONOE)" a vision of simultaneous elections at the national, state, and local levels. The transformative approach focuses on curbing the effects of fragmented electoral cycles on the voters, which has accounted for billions of lost revenues and limited resource development. ONOE is grounded in historical synchronization practices that collapsed after 1967 but holds promise to contextualize administrative efficiency and voter engagement while reducing electoral disruptions.

Looking at similar 'global examples' such as Sweden and South Africa, this blog presents the economic, administrative, and democratic advantages of this model. However, logistical constraints and worries of overshadowing local concerns are also critically examined. This study advocates for phased implementation and pilot programs, though, reflecting ONOE's revolutionary prowess in Indian democracy: coherence, while costing less, would be accompanied by greater accountability mechanisms in an evolving democratic landscape.

Introduction
The One Nation, One Election (ONOE) is a concept that holds all elections, including Lok Sabha (India's Parliament) and other State Legislative Assembly elections, together every five years. It's a transformative proposal that promises to revolutionize India's electoral landscape, addressing long-standing challenges in the nation's democratic framework. At its core, this innovative approach seeks to synchronize elections across multiple levels of governance from the national Lok Sabha to state legislative assemblies and local bodies presenting a holistic solution to the fragmented electoral cycles that have long characterized Indian democracy.

Genesis Of The Proposal
The genesis of this proposal is deeply rooted in the economic and administrative challenges of India's current electoral system. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone cost an astronomical ₹60,000 crores (approximately $8.5 billion), a staggering expenditure underscoring the urgent need for systematic reform. This financial burden is not merely a matter of numbers but represents a significant drain on national resources that could otherwise be directed toward critical developmental initiatives.

Historical Context
Historically, India's electoral journey tells a fascinating story of gradual fragmentation. In the early years of independence, from 1951 to 1967, the nation experienced a remarkable synchronization of national and state elections. These initial decades were characterized by a cohesive electoral process that aligned seamlessly across different levels of governance. The turning point came in 1968 with the premature dissolution of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, a moment that marked the beginning of electoral disarray.

Implications Of Fragmented Elections
Consider the tangible implications of this fragmentation. The 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, conducted alongside parliamentary elections, exemplified the challenges of misaligned electoral cycles. The simultaneous campaigns created administrative strain, diverted governance focus, and potentially compromised the quality of democratic representation. Such instances highlight the pressing need for a more streamlined electoral mechanism.

The Onoe Proposal And Constitutional Requirement

The ONOE proposal is not merely a theoretical construct but a carefully architected reform with multiple dimensions. It proposes comprehensive synchronization by aligning the tenures of the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and local bodies. This would require significant constitutional amendments, particularly to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 the very articles that govern legislative terms and assembly dissolutions.

Potential Benefits
The potential benefits of this approach are multifaceted and profound. Economically, the Election Commission of India estimates that synchronized elections could reduce electoral expenditure to approximately ₹7,951 crores by 2029. This represents not just a financial saving, but a strategic reallocation of resources towards developmental priorities. Drawing parallels with international experiences, countries like South Korea have demonstrated how synchronized elections can dramatically enhance governance efficiency.

Global Comparatives
Global comparatives provide rich insights into the potential of this model. Sweden's four-year synchronized election cycle, for instance, has led to improved voter turnout and more coherent policy discussions. South Africa offers another compelling example, showcasing how concurrent elections can boost voter engagement when supplemented with robust civic education programs.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Onoe System

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of One Nation, One Election (ONOE):

Advantages

• Cost Efficiency: Frequent polls can cost a lot. If we could synchronize elections, that financial burden could be greatly reduced. For instance, assuming a cost saving of around ₹7,951 crores in 2029 says the Election Commission.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: The elections at one go relax the strain on administrative resources and security personnel.
• Continuous Governance: This eliminates the constant disruptions in governance fuelled by the rush to elections, which then lead to a constant focus on elections, instead of development and policy implementation.
• Enhanced Voter Turnout: Experiences from around the world, such as Sweden's, show that synchronized elections can push more people to vote.
• Streamlined Political Discourse: It encourages voters to gauge all governments at the same time, generating a comprehensive accountability mechanism.

Disadvantages

• Logistical Challenges: The cost however is great and includes 3 million security personnel and around 10 million EVMs.
• Overshadowing of Local Issues: In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, national narratives might have won the day at the expense of regional and local concerns.
• Constitutional Complexities: Agreement on amending key constitutional articles, and on the terms of legislative, is political and legal heavy lifting.
• Homogenization of Democracy: The risk of the centralization of the discourse happened, and it could have jeopardized the diversity of regional voices.

Challenges In Implementations
However, the path to implementation is fraught with challenges. Logistically, the synchronization would require deploying approximately 3 million security personnel and procuring around 10 million Electronic Voting Machines. The technological and administrative infrastructure needed is nothing short of monumental. A phased approach, similar to the implementation of demonetization in 2016, might offer a more manageable strategy.

Criticism And Concerns
Critics raise valid concerns about the potential homogenization of electoral discourse. There are legitimate fears that national narratives might overshadow local issues, as witnessed during the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections where agrarian distress was subsumed by broader national security discussions. The delicate balance between national perspective and regional representation becomes a critical consideration.

Counterarguments And Support For ONOE
Proponents of ONOE offer compelling counterarguments. They suggest that synchronized elections could create a more comprehensive accountability mechanism, allowing voters to simultaneously evaluate state and central government performances. This holistic approach could potentially break down the electoral silos that currently fragment political discourse.

Recommendations For Implementations:
Hari Singh Khurana recommends a strategic approach, a phased implementation of One Nation, One Election (ONOE), with the pilot project states Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which already have synchronous election cycles. Therefore, these states represent testing grounds to see what works, and what doesn't, to address challenges before rolling out a program nationwide.

Alignments in legislative tenures will be done gradually through constitutional amendments thereby minimizing disruption and keeping up a smooth synchronization. Enhanced resources to the Election Commission, including technology, EVMs, and trained personnel have to be there. Stakeholder consultations, civic education programs, community outreach activities, and building political and public consensus are essential for broad acceptance.

For their implementation, legal reforms, notably the amendment of certain key constitutional articles are necessary. It will also ensure that robust logistical planning for resources, security, and voting infrastructure is in place as well as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism that will determine the effectiveness of the pilot projects. A phased approach to this transition ensures a smooth and successful transition to ONOE while finding a balance of logistical, constitutional, and democratic support.

Conclusion
The ultimate vision of One Nation, One Election transcends mere administrative reform. It represents a potential paradigm shift in India's democratic framework, promising enhanced administrative efficiency, reduced electoral disruptions, and a more engaged citizenry. The success of this ambitious proposal will depend on careful constitutional navigation, collaborative stakeholder engagement, and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles.

As India stands at this critical juncture, the ONOE proposal offers a glimpse into a potentially more efficient, responsive, and coherent democratic process. It is a testament to the nation's ongoing democratic evolution a continuous journey of refinement and improvement.

Carry Forward
One Nation, One Election (ONOE) has a phase-wise progression need of one that understands mobilization under the proposed One Nation, One Election is based on the smaller feet, around those states which have an opposite election cycle to the pilot. Building consensus among political parties, state governments, and the Election Commission is crucial more than amending Articles 83 and 172 which govern terms of election.

Firstly, the investments in EVMs, security, and technology all need to be streamlined. It can also raise awareness as to the benefits, such as reduced costs and disruptions. Regional issues ought to never be derailed by national narratives. ONOE can help populate governance, efficiency, and democratic coherence triumvirate if implemented excessively well, by drawing on global examples such as Sweden.

End Notes:

1. Drishti IAS, "Exploring the Prospects of One Nation, One Election," available at: https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/exploring-the-prospects-of-one-nation-one-election (last visited on Nov. 25, 2024).
2. Anand Mishra, "More Efficient, Responsive Democracy: We Need One Nation, One Election," The Indian Express, Nov. 10, 2024, available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/more-efficient-responsive-democracy-we-need-one-nation-one-election-9591663/ (last visited on Nov. 30, 2024).
3. High-Level Committee, Report on One Nation, One Election, available at: https://onoe.gov.in/HLC-Report-en#flipbook-df_manual_book/1 (last visited on Nov. 25, 2024).

Written By:

• Aishwarya Korde, a Student at Maharashtra National Law University 5th Year, and
• Beradar Akash, a student in 5th year at Christ Academy Institute of Law