The Union Cabinet on September 18, in a landmark move approved the proposal for simultaneous elections across the country, referred to as ‘One Nation, One Election.’ The bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, marking a significant step towards synchronising Lok Sabha and state assembly elections under a single schedule.
This move comes after a high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted its report to the Cabinet, examining the feasibility and implications of holding simultaneous polls. The committee’s recommendations are expected to guide the legislative framework for the proposed electoral overhaul.
The idea of holding simultaneous elections—where voters across the country cast their ballots for national and state-level legislatures on the same day—has been discussed for decades. The system was prevalent in India during the early years of its democracy, with Lok Sabha and state assembly elections being held together in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this synchronisation was disrupted by the premature dissolution of several state assemblies and the Lok Sabha in 1970. Since then, elections have been staggered, with some held nearly every year, putting immense pressure on government resources.
The Modi government has advocated for the return of simultaneous polls since it came to power in 2014. In his Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, calling frequent elections a hindrance to governance and progress. According to Modi, the Model Code of Conduct, enforced during elections, stalls development projects and impedes decision-making.
Frequent elections also burden the exchequer, requiring vast financial resources, and draw heavily on human resources, including deploying security forces and election officials. Advocates of ‘One Nation, One Election’ argue that synchronising elections will address these concerns, enabling better planning, governance, and implementation of policies.
The Kovind Committee Report: Key Recommendations
In 2023, the Modi Government constituted a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore the practicality of holding simultaneous elections. The committee submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024, and the report was later presented to the Union Cabinet for consideration. The committee’s findings and recommendations form the backbone of the legislative proposal expected to be introduced in Parliament.
The Kovind Committee made several key recommendations, including:
- Simultaneous Elections for National and State Legislatures: The committee proposed that elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies should be held simultaneously to streamline the electoral process and reduce the costs associated with frequent elections.
- Common Electoral Roll and Voter ID: The committee recommended creating a unified electoral roll and voter ID card system, which would apply to national and state elections. This would eliminate discrepancies and improve the efficiency of the electoral process. The Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with state election authorities, would oversee the implementation of this system.
- 18 Constitutional Amendments: The report outlined 18 necessary constitutional amendments to facilitate the transition to simultaneous elections. These amendments would address issues like the tenure of assemblies, early dissolution, and synchronisation of election cycles. While most amendments will only require parliamentary approval, a few will need ratification by at least half of India’s state assemblies.
- Two-Phase Election Proposal: In states where elections are held at vastly different times, the committee suggested a phased approach, with elections held in two stages to manage the transition smoothly.
- Implementation Group: To ensure that the recommendations are carried out efficiently, the committee suggested the formation of an Implementation Group tasked with overseeing the execution of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy. This group would coordinate with various stakeholders, including political parties, state governments, and the ECI.
- Governance Continuity: To prevent disruptions in governance, the committee proposed provisions for handling situations like a no-confidence motion or a hung parliament. It suggested exploring the concept of a “constructive vote of no-confidence,” where a government can only be ousted if the opposition has an alternative government ready to take over, ensuring continuity.
- Cost Savings and Governance Efficiency: One of the primary arguments favouring simultaneous elections is the significant reduction in election-related expenditure. The committee pointed out that holding frequent elections puts a strain on public finances and diverts essential resources. Simultaneous elections, it argued, would streamline these processes, saving time and money while allowing uninterrupted governance and development work.
In addition to the Kovind Committee’s report, the Law Commission of India is expected to release its findings on the subject. According to sources, the Law Commission will likely recommend a comprehensive approach that extends simultaneous polls to local bodies, including municipalities and panchayats. This would mean that starting in 2029, India could witness elections at all three levels of government—national, state, and local—being held simultaneously.
The Law Commission is also expected to propose mechanisms to ensure stability in cases where state assemblies or the Lok Sabha are prematurely dissolved. This would include provisions for a “unity government” to avoid the need for mid-term elections and ensure governance continuity.
