Introduction

India’s democratic framework thrives on the vibrancy of its electoral process, enabling citizens
to actively shape governance at every level. Since independence, over 400 elections to the Lok
Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies have showcased the Election Commission of India’s
commitment to fairness and transparency. However, the fragmented and frequent nature of
elections has sparked discussions on the need for a more e icient system. This has led to the
resurgence of interest in the concept of "One Nation, One Election."

The idea, also known as simultaneous elections, proposes aligning the election cycles of the
Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This would allow voters to cast their ballots for both tiers of
government on the same day in their constituencies, though voting could still occur in phases
across the country. By synchronising these electoral timelines, the approach aims to address
logistical challenges, reduce costs, and minimise disruptions caused by frequent elections.

The High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections in India, released in 2024,

provided a comprehensive roadmap for implementing this vision. Its recommendations were
accepted by the Union Cabinet on 18th September 2024, marking a significant step towards
electoral reform. Proponents argue that such a system could enhance administrative e iciency,
reduce election-related expenditures, and promote policy continuity. As India aspires to
streamline governance and optimise its democratic processes, the concept of "One Nation,
One Election" has emerged as a key reform requiring thoughtful deliberation and consensus.

Historical Background

The concept of simultaneous elections is not a new idea in India. Following the adoption of the
Constitution, elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies were conducted
simultaneously from 1951 to 1967. The first general elections to the Lok Sabha and State
Assemblies were held together in 1951-52, a practice that continued for three subsequent
general elections in 1957, 1962, and 1967.

However, this cycle of synchronised elections was disrupted in 1968 and 1969 due to the
premature dissolution of some State Legislative Assemblies. The Fourth Lok Sabha was also
dissolved prematurely in 1970, with fresh elections held in 1971. Unlike the First, Second, and
Third Lok Sabha, which completed their full five-year terms, the Fifth Lok Sabha's term was
extended until 1977 under Article 352 because of the declaration of Emergency. Since then, only
a few Lok Sabha terms have lasted the full five years, such as the Eighth, Tenth, Fourteenth, and
Fifteenth. Others, including the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth, were
dissolved early.

State Assemblies have faced similar disruptions over the years. Premature dissolutions and
term extensions have become a recurring challenge. These developments have firmly disrupted
the cycle of simultaneous elections, leading to the current pattern of staggered electoral
schedules across the country.

Timelines of key milestones of various Lok Sabhas

*Mid-term polls were held. Dissolution took place before the elections.

**Extension due to proclamation of Emergency.

High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections

The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, headed by former President Ram Nath
Kovind, was constituted by the Government of India on 2nd September 2023. Its primary
objective was to explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha
and State Legislative Assemblies. The committee solicited extensive public and political
feedback, and consulted with experts to analyse the potential benefits and challenges
associated with this proposed electoral reform. This report presents a detailed overview of the
committee’s findings, its recommendations for constitutional amendments, and the anticipated
impact of simultaneous elections on governance, resources, and public sentiment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Public Response: The Committee received over 21,500 responses, with 80% in favour
of simultaneous elections. The responses came from all corners of the country,
including Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, Nagaland, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli.
The highest responses were received from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala,
West Bengal, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

2. Responses from Political Parties: 47 political parties submitted their views. Of these,
32 parties supported simultaneous elections, citing benefits like resource optimization
and social harmony. 15 parties raised concerns about potential anti-democratic e ects
and marginalization of regional parties.

3. Expert Consultations: The Committee consulted Former Chief Justices of India, Former
Election Commissioners, and legal experts. A majority supported the concept of
 simultaneous elections, emphasizing the waste of resources and socio-economic
disruptions caused by frequent elections.

4. Economic Impact: Business organizations like CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM supported
the proposal, highlighting the positive impact on economic stability by reducing
disruptions and costs associated with election cycles.

5. Legal and Constitutional Analysis: The Committee proposed amendments to Articles

82A and 324A of the Indian Constitution to enable simultaneous elections for the Lok
Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies.

6. Phased Approach to Implementation: The Committee recommended implementing

simultaneous elections in two phases:

o Phase 1: Synchronizing Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies elections.

o Phase 2: Synchronizing elections for Municipalities and Panchayats with Lok Sabha and
State Legislative elections within 100 days.

7. Electoral Roll and EPIC Harmonization: The Committee highlighted ine iciencies in
electoral roll preparation by State Election Commissions and recommended creating a
Single Electoral Roll and Single EPIC for all three tiers of government. This would reduce
duplication and errors, safeguarding voter rights.

8. Public Sentiment on Frequent Elections: Public responses indicated significant

concern about the negative impacts of frequent elections, such as voter fatigue and
governance disruptions, which are expected to be mitigated by simultaneous elections.

Rationale for Simultaneous Elections

The points below are based on the findings of the report issued by the High-Level Committee on
Simultaneous Elections, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind:

v. Promotes Consistency in Governance: Due to the ongoing cycle of elections in various

parts of the country, political parties, their leaders, legislators, and both State and
Central Governments often focus their e orts on preparing for upcoming elections
rather than prioritizing governance. The adoption of simultaneous elections would
refocus the government’s attention towards developmental activities and the
implementation of policies aimed at promoting the welfare of the masses.

v. Prevents Policy Paralysis: The implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during
elections disrupts routine administrative activities and developmental initiatives. This
disruption not only hampers the progress of vital welfare schemes but also leads to
governance uncertainty. Holding simultaneous elections would mitigate the prolonged
enforcement of the MCC, thereby reducing policy paralysis and enabling continuous
governance.
 v. Mitigates Resource Diversion: The deployment of a substantial number of personnel
for election duties, such as polling o icials and civil servants, can lead to significant
diversion of resources from their core responsibilities. With elections conducted
simultaneously, the need for frequent deployment would diminish, allowing government
o icials and public institutions to focus more on their primary roles rather than election-
related tasks.

v. Preserves Regional Party Relevance: Holding simultaneous elections does not

undermine the role of regional parties. In fact, it encourages a more localized focus
during elections, enabling regional parties to highlight their unique concerns and
aspirations. This setup fosters a political environment where local issues are not
overshadowed by national election campaigns, thus preserving the relevance of regional
voices.

v. Enhances Political Opportunities: Conducting elections simultaneously entails a

more equitable allocation of political opportunities and responsibilities within political
parties. Currently, it is not uncommon for certain leaders within a party to dominate the
electoral landscape, contesting elections at multiple levels and monopolizing key
positions. In the scenario of simultaneous elections, there arises greater scope for
diversification and inclusivity among political workers representing various parties,
allowing a wider range of leaders to emerge and contribute to the democratic process.

v. Focus on Governance: The ongoing cycle of elections across the country diverts
attention from good governance. Political parties focus more on election-related
activities to secure victories, leaving less time for development and essential
governance. Synchronised elections would allow parties to dedicate their e orts to
addressing the needs of the electorate, reducing instances of conflicts and aggressive
campaigning.

v. Reduced Financial Burden: Conducting simultaneous elections could significantly cut

down the financial costs associated with multiple election cycles. This model reduces
the expenditure related to the deployment of resources like manpower, equipment, and
security for each individual election. The economic benefits include a more e icient
allocation of resources and better fiscal management, fostering a conducive
environment for economic growth and investor confidence.

Conclusion

The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, led by former President Ram Nath
Kovind, has laid the groundwork for a transformative shift in India’s electoral process. By
aligning the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the committee’s
recommendations promise to address long-standing challenges associated with frequent
elections, such as governance disruptions and resource wastage. The proposed phased
approach to implementing simultaneous elections, along with constitutional amendments,
could pave the way for a more e icient and stable electoral environment in India. With
widespread public and political support, the concept of simultaneous elections stands poised
to streamline India’s democratic processes and bolster the e iciency of governance.