One Nation, One Election: What It Means And How It's Supposed to Work

New Delhi: In a major step towards electoral reform, the Union Cabinet has cleared the proposal for the One Nation One Election (ONOE) initiative, aiming for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

How Will States and Centre Elections Merge? 

The One Nation One Election concept proposes that all state elections occur simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections every five years. This initiative aims to streamline the electoral process, reduce the frequency of elections, and save both time and resources.

The One Nation One Election plan means that all Indians will vote for both Lok Sabha and state assembly representatives in the same year, if not simultaneously.

Currently, only a few states, like Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha , vote for a new state government during the Lok Sabha elections in April/May. 

Other states, such as Maharashtra and Haryana , will hold elections later this year, while Jharkhand must conduct its first assembly election in six years by September 30, following a Supreme Court order. 

Most states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh , Rajasthan , and Telangana, operate on separate five-year election cycles, leading to elections at different times.

However, synchronizing these cycles presents several challenges, including logistical, financial, constitutional, and practical issues, especially given India’s diverse geography and cultures.

Historical Background

The idea of simultaneous elections has its roots in 1983 when the Election Commission first proposed it. 

Prior to 1967, simultaneous elections were standard practice in India, with the first such elections held in 1951-52. This system persisted through the next three general elections until disruptions from premature dissolutions began in 1968. Since then, the cycle of simultaneous elections has not been restored.

Global Examples of Simultaneous Elections

Countries like South Africa and Sweden have successfully implemented simultaneous elections. South Africa holds national and provincial elections every five years, while Sweden schedules elections for various levels of government on the second Sunday of September every fourth year. The UK also introduced the Fixed-term Parliaments Act in 2011 to establish predictable election cycles.