One Nation, One Election

Introduction

"One Nation, One Election"(ONOE) is a proposal to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (Parliament) and all State Assemblies in India. The objective is to reduce the frequency of elections,minimize expenses, and improve governance efficiency.

This concept was actively practiced in India until 1967, but political instability led to frequent dissolutions of assemblies and the Lok Sabha, making simultaneous elections impractical. The government has revived discussions on ONOE, leading to extensive debates on its feasibility, advantages, and challenges.

Historical Background of One Nation, One Election (ONOE)

The concept of simultaneous elections in India has a long history, dating back to the early years after independence. The system was originally in place but was later disrupted due to political instability and constitutional provisions allowing mid-term dissolutions of legislatures. Below is a detailed historical account of ONOE, covering its origins, disruptions, and later developments.

  1. Simultaneous Elections in Early Years (1951-1967)

    1.1 First General Elections (1951-52)

    • After India’s independence, the first general elections were held from October 1951 to March 1952 under the newly adopted Constitution of India (1950).
    • Elections were held simultaneously for:
      • The Lok Sabha (House of the People)
      • All State Legislative Assemblies
      • Certain local bodies in some regions.
    • The idea of synchronized elections was based on the parliamentary system followed in the United Kingdom, where elections are held at fixed intervals.

    1.2 Continuation of the System (1957, 1962, and 1967 Elections)

    • 1957, 1962, and 1967 elections followed the same pattern, with simultaneous elections held for both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
    • The Election Commission of India (ECI) efficiently conducted the process, ensuring stability in governance.
    • The five-year election cycle was maintained because:
      • There was a dominant party at the center and in most states (Indian National Congress).
      • Political stability ensured full-term completion of legislatures.
      • There were few instances of defections and no-confidence motions.
  2. Disruptions in the Simultaneous Election Cycle (1968-1971)

    The cycle of simultaneous elections was disrupted due to political instability and constitutional provisions allowing premature dissolutions of legislatures.

    2.1 Political Instability and Coalition Politics

    • After the 1967 elections, several states saw non-Congress coalition governments.
    • Political instability increased, leading to mid-term dissolutions of assemblies.

    2.2 First Major Disruptions (1968-69)

    • The first disruption came in 1968-69 when some state governments failed to complete their tenure, resulting in mid-term elections.
    • President’s Rule under Article 356 was imposed in several states.
    • The cycle of simultaneous elections started breaking apart.

    2.3 Dissolution of the Fourth Lok Sabha (1970)

    • In 1970, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi called for early dissolution of the Fourth Lok Sabha.
    • Fresh Lok Sabha elections were held in 1971, one year before schedule, further disrupting the synchronization.
  3. Aftermath: Period of Frequent Elections (1971-1990s)

    3.1 Emergency and Extension of Lok Sabha Term (1975-1977)

    • During the Emergency (1975-77), the term of the Fifth Lok Sabha was extended beyond 5 years under Article 352 of the Constitution.
    • Elections were postponed, and normal electoral cycles were further disturbed.

    3.2 More Frequent Elections Due to Government Collapses

    • From 1977 onwards, political instability at both the national and state levels increased the frequency of elections.
    • Sixth Lok Sabha (1977-1980): Dissolved before completing its term.
    • Seventh Lok Sabha (1980-1984): Another early dissolution.
    • Ninth to Thirteenth Lok Sabha (1989-1999): Frequent mid-term elections.
    • State Assemblies also faced similar mid-term dissolutions, making it impossible to re-align elections.
  4. Electoral Fragmentation and Legal Developments (1990s-2000s)

    4.1 Emergence of Coalition Governments

    • The rise of regional parties and coalition governments made it difficult to maintain simultaneous elections.
    • Governments were often formed with slim majorities, making them vulnerable to no-confidence motions.

    4.2 Law Commission's 170th Report (1999)

    • In 1999, the Law Commission of India recommended restoring simultaneous elections.
    • It identified frequent elections as a major administrative and financial burden.

    4.3 Supreme Court Judgment: S.R. Bommai Case (1994)

    • The R. Bommai v. Union of India case set guidelines for imposing President’s Rule under Article 356.
    • This ruling aimed to prevent arbitrary dismissals of state governments, but mid-term dissolutions still occurred.
  5. Renewed Discussions on Simultaneous Elections (2010s-Present)

    5.1 Parliamentary Standing Committee’s 79th Report (2015)

    • In 2015, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice recommended a phased approach to implement ONOE.
    • It suggested holding elections in two phases:
      1. Phase 1: Aligning elections of some states with the Lok Sabha.
      2. Phase 2: Bringing all states in sync by the next cycle.

    5.2 NITI Aayog’s Discussion Paper (2017)

    • The NITI Aayog published a paper outlining:
      • Benefits of simultaneous elections (cost-saving, better governance).
      • Challenges (constitutional amendments, logistical issues).

    5.3 High-Level Committee Report (2024)

    • The Government of India appointed a High-Level Committee (HLC) in 2023, headed by Ramnath Kovind (Former President of India).
    • The HLC Report (2024) analyzed:
      • International models of simultaneous elections.
      • Economic impact assessments of frequent elections.
      • Legal and constitutional amendments needed to restore ONOE.