TERM PAPER

ONE NATION ONE ELECTION

NISHU GULIA
BA MULTIDISCIPLINARY
2022/749

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
 ABSTRACT

The concept of "One Na on, One Elec on" advocates for simultaneous elec ons for the Lok Sabha
(na onal parliament) and state legisla ve assemblies in India. This proposal aims to reduce the
frequent disrup ons caused by staggered elec ons and to streamline governance. This paper
explores the historical context, beginning with synchronized elec ons un l 1967, and examines the
challenges posed by desynchroniza on. It evaluates the poten al advantages, including cost savings,
administra ve efficiency, and enhanced voter par cipa on, while addressing cri cal challenges such
as cons tu onal amendments, logis cal feasibility, and the risk of centralizing power. By analyzing
the Indian democra c framework, this study provides insights into the viability and implica ons of
adop ng a unified electoral cycle in the world's largest democracy.
INTRODUCTION
The concept of “One Na on, One Elec on” in India aims to synchronise elec ons for the Lok Sabha
(the lower house of India's Parliament) and all state assemblies (vidhan sabha) and local bodies
elec on within the specified me frame. The idea is to hold these elec ons simultaneously, either on
a single day or within a specific me frame. Synchronised elec on is not new to the Indian electoral
history, India use to have unified electoral calender from 1952 to 1967,therea er the prac ce was
disrupted due to premature dissolu on of some state assemblies and lok sabha,and since then
staggered elec on become the norm.

The idea of one na on one elec on has again gained momentum due to recent poli cal maturity of
forming a stable government a er 1999 and economic discussions. Government, Law commission,
NITI Ayog had been conducing researches, forming various commi ees about the feasibility and
advantages and challenges of conduc ng simultaneous elec ons. One Na on, One Elec on remains
a topic of significant poli cal and public debate. Advocates emphasize its poten al to foster
efficiency, stability, and a streamlined democra c process, while opponents cau on against
oversimplifying the complex and diverse electoral landscape of India.

HISTORICAL ROOTS OF ELECTION

Elec on Commission of India and State Elec on Commission(s) are vested with the power to
superintend, control, and direct elec ons to the House of the People and State Legisla ve
Assemblies and Municipali es and Panchayats respec vely. 3. The first General elec ons of
independent India were held between 1951 to 1952 for a total of 489 seats. These elec ons for the
House of the People and State Legisla ve Assemblies were held simultaneously. The State of Andhra
Pradesh was created in 1953 by carving out areas from Madras, and had a Legisla ve Assembly with
190 seats. The first State Legisla ve Assembly elec ons in Andhra Pradesh were held in February
1955. 4. The second General elec ons were held in 1957. In 1957, the term of the seven State
Legisla ve Assemblies (Bihar, Bombay, Madras, Mysore, Punjab, U ar Pradesh, and West Bengal) did
not come to an end with the term of the House of the People. All the State Legisla ve Assemblies
were dissolved so that elec ons could be held simultaneously.1 The Reorganisa on of States Act,
1956 was passed in 1956. One year later, second General elec ons were held in 1957. The third
elec ons for the House of the People were synchronised with the twelve state legisla ves. Assembly
of Kerala7 was dissolved due to imposi on of President’s rule under Ar cle 356. Fresh State
Assembly elec ons were held in the year 1960. 8. Elec ons to the fourth House of the People held in
1967 were the last of the simultaneous elec ons that were conducted together with the State
Legisla ve Assemblies. Due to the premature dissolu on of some of the State Legisla ve Assemblies
in 1968 (Haryana) and 1969 (Nagaland, Punjab and U ar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar), the
tenures of the State Legisla ve Assemblies and the House of the People were not synchronised and
thus simultaneous elec ons were not possible ll 1999. Therea er 1999-2004 was the en re tenure
of coali on govt. and a erwards all phases completed en rely and 2024-2029 is currently going on.
STRUCTURE OF INDIAN FEDERLISM
The Parliament of India or Indian Parliament, is the supreme legisla ve body of the Republic of
India. It is a bicameral legislature composed of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha
(House of the People)Those elected or nominated (by the president) to either house of the
Parliament are referred to as members of Parliament (MPs). The members of parliament in the Lok
Sabha are directly elected by the vo ng of Indian ci zens in single-member districts and the
members of parliament in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of all state legisla ve
assemblies by propor onal representa on. The Parliament has a sanc oned strength of 552 in the
Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha including 12 nominees .

The Elec on Commission of India (ECI) is an independent cons tu onal authority established under
Ar cle 324 of the Indian Cons tu on to oversee and regulate elec ons in the country. Its primary
role is to ensure free, fair, and transparent elec ons to the Parliament, State Legislatures, President,
and Vice-President of India.

Composi on:The ECI consists of a Chief Elec on Commissioner (CEC) and two Elec on
Commissioners, appointed by the President of India. It operates as an autonomous body and is not
influenced by the execu ve or legislature. The commissioners serve fixed terms and can only be
removed through a process similar to the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge.

Func ons

1. Elec on Management: Conducts elec ons for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, and
the offices of President and Vice President.

2. Code of Conduct: Enforces the Model Code of Conduct to ensure ethical behaviour during
elec ons.

3. Voter Registra on: Oversees prepara on and revision of electoral rolls, ensuring every
eligible ci zen is registered.

4. Monitoring and Regula on: Supervises poli cal par es, elec on expenses, and campaign
ac vi es to prevent corrup on and malprac ce.

5. Awareness Campaigns: Promotes voter educa on through ini a ves like SVEEP (Systema c
Voters’ Educa on and Electoral Par cipa on.

FLOW CHART:
RESEARCHES:

 ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA FIRST ANNUAL REPORT (1983):

The Election Commission of India's First Annual Report (1983) emphasized the need for
holding simultaneous elections to reduce costs, optimize manpower, and minimize disruptions
to governance. It highlighted that staggered elections burdened the administrative machinery,
creating inefficiencies at both state and central levels. The report suggested evolving a
system, either by legislative measures or through conventions, to synchronize elections. It
also noted the duplicative expenditures involved in separate elections, advocating for reforms
to ensure smoother and more cost-effective electoral processes.

 170TH REPORT OF LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA,1999

The 170th Report of the Law Commission of India (1999) focused on comprehensive reforms
in India’s electoral system to address corrup on, criminaliza on, and inefficiencies. A key
recommenda on was the prohibi on of the fragmenta on of poli cal par es to curb
instability caused by frequent defec ons and splinter groups. It emphasized the need for
 internal democracy and transparency within poli cal par es, sugges ng statutory regula on
to ensure proper func oning and financial accountability.
The report also proposed simplifying election procedures and tightening regulations on
campaign finances to reduce undue influence by money power. Another significant
recommendation was decriminalizing politics by barring candidates with criminal charges
from contesting elections until they are cleared by courts. Additionally, it highlighted the
importance of strengthening the Election Commission of India (ECI) by granting it more
autonomy and authority to ensure free and fair elections.
Overall, the report aimed to create a robust and transparent electoral system that upholds
democratic values and public trust.

 REPORT OF NATIONAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE WORKING OF THE

CONSTITUTION(NCRWC),2002
The Report of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
(NCRWC), 2002 provided recommendations to strengthen India’s democracy and
governance. It emphasized electoral reforms, including curbing criminalization in
politics, ensuring transparency in political party funding, and promoting inner-party
democracy. The report advocated for stability in governance by suggesting reforms to
prevent defections and introducing measures like a fixed tenure for legislatures.
In the judiciary, it recommended reducing delays by expanding judicial infrastructure
and creating a National Judicial Commission for appointments and accountability.
The NCRWC also stressed federalism, suggesting greater financial autonomy for
states and better coordination between the Union and states.
For citizen empowerment, the report proposed strengthening fundamental rights and
implementing social justice measures, including affirmative action for marginalized
groups. Additionally, it highlighted the need for good governance through greater
accountability, transparency, and efficient service delivery mechanisms. Overall, the
NCRWC aimed to modernize the Constitution to address emerging challenges while
preserving its foundational principles.

 255TH LAW COMMISSION REPORT,2015

The 255th Law Commission Report (2015) focused on electoral reforms to ensure
free, fair, and transparent elections in India. It proposed several key changes to
address issues like criminalization of politics, misuse of money power, and lack of
internal democracy in political parties. One major recommendation was barring
candidates with serious criminal charges from contesting elections until their cases are
resolved, to curb the entry of criminals into politics.
The report advocated for state funding of elections in a limited manner to reduce
dependence on illegal or unaccounted funds. It also emphasized strict regulation of
election expenses, including transparency in the funding of political parties, through
regular audits and disclosure requirements.
To enhance accountability, the report suggested strengthening the Election
Commission of India (ECI) by granting it more autonomy, ensuring a transparent
appointment process for its members, and giving it powers to regulate political
parties. Additionally, it recommended reforms to proportional representation and
delimitation of constituencies to address inequalities in voter representation.
Overall, the report sought to create an electoral system that minimizes corruption,
promotes fairness, and strengthens India’s democracy.
 79TH REPORT OF PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITEE,2015
The 79th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015) focused on the
urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms to strengthen India's democratic
framework. It highlighted concerns over the criminalization of politics, urging the
government to disqualify candidates with serious criminal charges even before
conviction, to ensure cleaner politics. The report also emphasized addressing the
growing influence of money power in elections by proposing stricter regulations on
election expenditure and transparency in political party funding.
To improve governance, the committee recommended introducing measures to
promote inner-party democracy and accountability within political parties. It called
for enhanced powers and autonomy for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to
ensure free and fair elections. Additionally, it suggested implementing reforms like
simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to reduce costs and
streamline the electoral process.
Overall, the report provided a framework for tackling systemic issues in the electoral
process, aiming to uphold the integrity of India’s democracy.

 WORKING PAPER OF NITI AAYOG,2017

The Working Paper of NITI Aayog (2017) focused on the feasibility and benefits of
simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. It argued that holding
elections simultaneously would reduce the frequent disruptions caused by staggered
polls, lower election expenditure, and ensure more consistent governance by
minimizing the impact of the Model Code of Conduct, which often delays policy
implementation.
The paper highlighted the financial and administrative burden of frequent elections,
including the diversion of resources like security personnel and election machinery. It
emphasized that simultaneous elections would enable governments to focus on
developmental policies instead of being perpetually in election mode. However, it
acknowledged challenges, such as constitutional amendments, the synchronization of
assembly terms, and the possibility of mid-term dissolutions, suggesting mechanisms
to address these issues.
In essence, the paper proposed simultaneous elections as a reform to enhance
efficiency, stability, and governance in India’s democratic process, while outlining the
practical steps required for its implementation.

 LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA DRAFT REPORT ,2018

The Law Commission of India Draft Report (2018) focused on the feasibility of
conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to
improve governance and reduce election-related disruptions. It highlighted that
frequent elections lead to significant financial costs, strain on administrative
resources, and delays in policy implementation due to the enforcement of the Model
Code of Conduct. The report proposed constitutional amendments to synchronize the
terms of the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, allowing elections to be held together.
To address challenges such as mid-term dissolutions, the report suggested
mechanisms like constructive votes of no-confidence and the possibility of re-
elections only for the remaining term of the legislature. It also emphasized ensuring
 voter awareness, strengthening electoral institutions, and maintaining federalism
while implementing this reform.
The report concluded that simultaneous elections could enhance stability, reduce
costs, and improve policy focus, provided legal, logistical, and political challenges are
addressed comprehensively.

 KOVIND COMMITTEE REPORT,2023-HLC REPORT

The Kovind Committee Report (2023) focused on implementing the "One Nation,
One Election" (ONOE) system, which aims to synchronize elections for the Lok
Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and local bodies. The report advocates this to
reduce frequent election cycles, streamline governance, and lower election-related
costs.
Key Recommendations:
1. Simultaneous Elections in Two Phases:
o Phase 1: Lok Sabha and state assembly elections would be held together.
o Phase 2: Local body elections (municipalities and panchayats) would align
with the national and state polls within 100 days.
2. Constitutional Amendments: Proposed 15 amendments, including:
o Article 82A: For the transition to simultaneous elections.
o Article 324A: Coordination of local body elections by the Election
Commission.
o Unified Electoral Rolls: A single electoral roll for all elections to reduce
duplication.
3. Governance Efficiency: ONOE would mitigate delays caused by the frequent
imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, enabling uninterrupted policymaking and
governance.
4. Challenges and Solutions: Transitioning to simultaneous polls requires political
consensus, amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174, and a phased
implementation due to logistical complexities and regional concerns.
The report argues that ONOE will reduce election costs, enhance voter engagement,
and foster national unity by focusing on collective issues rather than regional divides.

CONCLUSION: These were the reports published by the high level committee in
order to simplify the idea of one nation one election giving their recommendation.
CHALLENGES, ISSUES AND COMPLEXITIES

The synchronising of elec ons for different representa ve bodies in the world's largest democracy
poses considerable complexi es. It is necessary to analyse the cons tu onal, administra ve and
poli cal aspects associated with the idea of simultaneous elec ons.

NON-CONSTITUTIONAL AND AGAINST THE DOCTRINE OF BASIC STRUCTURE

 It is contended that the introduc on of simultaneous elec ons is against the basic structure
of the Cons tu on since the requirement for premature dissolu on of State Legisla ve
Assemblies, which comprises elected representa ves, would be against the will of the
people. the cri cism is that as the Cons tu on mandates fixed terms for Parliament and the
State Legisla ve Assemblies, altering these terms would violate the Cons tu on’s basic
structure. It is also contended that the extension and curtailment of the Assemblies in a
phased manner would be an assault on the rights of the States and the rights of ci zens who
elect their representa ves.

 Dra ed Art. 83 and 172 by providing that the term shall be five years and no longer . . Art.
368 confers upon Parliament with the power to amend the Cons tu on. The procedure
requires a vote of two-thirds of the members present and vo ng [as against a simple
majority needed for enac ng legisla on] and ra fica on by the States where the
amendments concern provisions of the Cons tu on that would affect the rights of the
States. In Kesavananda Bhara & Ors. v. State of Kerala1 the Supreme Court held that the
power to amend is plenary, and the only limita on to this power is that the basic structure of
the Cons tu on cannot be altered.

 The criticisms levelled against simultaneous elections do not impinge upon citizens
rights under Part III or the rule of law or any other features such as a free and
independent judiciary. The two elements referred to are whether it affects free and
fair elections, and whether it is incompatible with federalism.

AGAINST DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

Simultaneous elections would somehow impair the fairness of the electoral process has to be
rejected. leaving those elected to power free to govern for the next five years without again
getting drawn to multiple elections. It is obvious that it would also reduce the role of financial
resources, which is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to free and fair elections. In the
past due to several instances premature dissolution of assemblies distrubed the simultaneous
election.
UNDERMINES FEDERALISM

Federalism as a constitutional concept [beyond its colloquial meaning

which is indefinite and uncertain] means the existence of two or more units
of governance one of which is Federal and the other regional. The latter
could be called States or Province . The basis for India's federal structure was established
by the Government
of India Act, 1935, which outlined the division of legislative powers
between the Union and the States. This framework was later incorporated
into the Constitution of India through three lists outlined in the Seventh schedule.
There is chance of centre misusing its power and interfere or influence the state affairs.

LOGISTICS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The report by Dr. SY Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, outlines several
logistical and infrastructural challenges in implementing the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE)
proposal. While the concept aims to synchronize elections across the Lok Sabha and state
assemblies to streamline governance and reduce costs, the logistical and infrastructural
requirements to achieve this are significant and complex. The report sheds light on critical areas of
concern:

1. Demand for Massive Resources

A simultaneous election requires conducting polls across all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies and 4120
state assembly constituencies in one go. This necessitates an unprecedented number of Electronic
Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). Currently, the Election
Commission of India (ECI) does not have enough EVMs to manage simultaneous polls, as these
machines are rotated regionally in staggered elections. Procuring additional EVMs, their rigorous
testing, deployment, and maintenance will require significant time and resources. Moreover, these
machines have a lifespan of about 15 years, implying a continuous cycle of production and
replacement.

2. Storage and Maintenance

The storage and security of EVMs and VVPATs pose a major logistical challenge. Large warehouses
with round-the-clock security are needed to house millions of machines in every state. Currently,
India faces a lack of adequate storage infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas. The cost
of building and maintaining these facilities would be significant.

3. Human Resources and Training

Simultaneous elections would require a vast number of trained polling personnel, security forces,
and election observers. The report highlights the challenge of mobilizing and training such a
massive workforce within the stipulated timeframe. With India’s diverse geography and vast
population, deploying personnel across remote and sensitive regions is a daunting task.
Additionally, ensuring uniformity in training for polling staff across states and maintaining efficiency
in simultaneous voting processes is a complex undertaking.

4. Security Concerns

Managing security during simultaneous elections is a critical concern. Elections in India often
involve the deployment of central and state security forces to ensure free and fair voting.
Mobilizing and deploying security forces across the entire country simultaneously will stretch
existing resources thin. This is especially challenging in areas with ongoing insurgencies, high
communal tensions, or logistical difficulties due to terrain.

5. Booth Management and Voter Convenience

The synchronization of elections would require setting up polling booths for a massive electorate of
over 950 million registered voters. Many areas, particularly rural and tribal regions, lack the
required polling station infrastructure. Expanding this infrastructure to ensure voter convenience
and accessibility would involve significant investment and planning. Additionally, managing voter
turnout during simultaneous elections across all regions could lead to logistical bottlenecks.

6. Cost and Time Investment

While the ONOE proposal promises cost savings in the long term, the initial investment for
upgrading infrastructure, purchasing EVMs, and training personnel would be enormous.
Furthermore, the preparatory time required to build this infrastructure and achieve political
consensus could take several years.

7. Coordination Challenges

Coordinating elections across all states requires political consensus and changes to multiple
constitutional provisions and laws. The practical aspects of synchronizing election dates and
accommodating the varied logistical challenges of different states add to the complexity.

RATIONALE FOR SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS

INTRODUCTION:
Driven by the imperative to enhance efficiency in governance and
streamlining the electoral processes, the concept of simultaneous elections
for Union and State Legislatures along with the synchronisation of the
elections of Local Bodies (Urban and Rural) has drawn significant attention in the current
Indian political landscape. Presently, the electoral calendar in
India is marked by a staggered pattern, wherein the electoral machinery is busy throughout
the year in some states or the other. This pattern of frequent elections poses a multitude of
challenges and also hampers the focus on good governance at both the Central and State
levels. each contributing to the overarching objective of enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness,
and integrity of the electoral process. The holding of simultaneous elections is conducive to
achieving of administrative convenience and better utilisation of the resources involved.
 Elections, by their very nature, lead to incurring of substantial cost in terms of
manpower involvement, infrastructure to be created, and logistics to be arranged.
The holding of elections for representative bodies at different levels aggravates
pressure on finances, straining the resources of the exchequer.

ENHANCEMENT OF VOTER TURNOUT AND DIMINISHING VOTER FATIGUE

Furthermore, the holding of simultaneous elections has the inherent potential to enhance
voter participation and facilitating its proactive engagement in the electoral process. The
phenomenon of 'voter fatigue,' characterised by apathy and disinterest among voters due to
the recurrence of elections, presents a significant challenge in ensuring their participation.
Simultaneous elections offer a solution by consolidating multiple elections into a
coincidental cycle of event, reducing the burden on voters and revitalising their enthusiasm
for participation in the election process. The synchronised conduct of elections fosters a
sense of civic cohesion and national unity, as citizens across the country participate in
the festival of democracy collectively, reinforcing the bonds of citizenship and fraternity.

FOCUS ON GOVERNANCE AND REDUCE FINANCIAL BURDEN

Beyond the realm of administrative convenience and financial prudence, simultaneous

elections have far-reaching implications for the broader contours of democratic governance
and political stability. Moreover, such elections mitigate the disruptions to development
caused by frequent electoral cycles, thereby enabling elected representatives to focus on
their legislative duties. This continuity in governance ensures stability and predictability in
the political landscape, instilling confidence among investors, stakeholders, and the citizenry
at large. The succeeding paragraphs of this chapter highlight in detail the rationale for
holding simultaneous elections. Political parties, including those in power at both the national
and state levels, often focus more on election-related activities to ensure the victory of their
respective parties. This preoccupation with elections diverts the attention of lawmakers from
essential matters of good governance and development, shifting their focus toward campaign
efforts. If elections were less frequent or synchronised, parties would be better positioned to
dedicate their time and efforts to meet the needs and requirements of the electorate.
PROMOTING CONSISTENCY AND STABILITY IN GOVERNANCE

In a span of five years (2019-2023), the country went through one General election and thirty
elections for the various State Legislative Assemblies. Therefore, it can be seen that every
year the country conducts elections for four to five States Legislative Assemblies. 10. Due to
the ongoing cycle of elections occurring in various parts of the country, political parties,
their leaders, legislators, and both State and Central Governments tend to devote their time
and resources towards the upcoming elections, rather than focusing on matters of
governance. Therefore, the adoption of simultaneous elections would shift the
government’s attention to developmental activities and the implementation of policies
aimed at promoting the welfare of the masses.

The holding of simultaneous elections offers a viable solution to address the dual challenges
of promoting efficiency in governance and reducing electoral expenditure. By synchronising
the electoral cycles of the Union and State Legislatures, simultaneous elections harmonise the
exercise of seeking the mandate of the people for governance at both levels, fostering
coherence and continuity in policy formulation and implementation.

PREVENTION OF POLICY PARALYSIS TO SEQUENTIAL IMPOSITION OF THE

MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

The implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which serves as a set of
guidelines to ensure fair and free elections and monitors the conduct of political parties and
governments, also affects the pace of the developmental programmes and related activities in
States undergoing elections. It also halts the routine administrative initiatives until the
elections conclude. The imposition of the MCC would entail that the government shall not
“(a) announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; or (b) (except civil
servants) lay foundation stones etc. of projects or schemes of any kind; or (c) make any
promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc. or (d) make any
ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may have the effect of
influencing the voters in favor of the party in power.” If elections were to occur once every
five years, public representatives would not be burdened frequently with devising strategies
for electoral battles.
MITIGATE THE DIVERGENCE OF GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AND
RESOURCE OF PUBLIC INSTITUTION

During the elections to the 17th Lok Sabha (House of the People) in 2019, the ECI enlisted
the services of approximately 70 lakh personnel to serve as polling officials, overseeing the
election process at 12,03,800 polling stations nationwide. This equates to an average of
around 6 personnel per polling station.4. 19. Polling booths are frequently located in schools,
whether they are government-run or private institutions. The staff and teaching personnel of
these schools are required to undertake election related duties, diverting them from
discharging their primary responsibility of providing education. Not only are schools closed
on the days of the poll, but they are also closed in advance for preparatory measures. A
similar phenomenon is seen in the case of employees of Central and State Governments, as
well as Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), who are assigned election related duties. These
officials are further required to undergo training related to election procedures, etc. which
also diverts them from their routine responsibilities. The occurrence of frequent elections
compounds the above situation. 20. It is seen that substantial government machinery,
officials, teachers, civilian personnel and other staff of public institutions are involved in the
smooth conduct of elections. This entails the diversion of their attention from their core
responsibilities. Simultaneous elections would ensure that such machinery and resources are
deployed less frequently.

REGIONAL PARTY CONTINUED RELEVENCE

It demonstrate the charactersticks mature democracy.Besides the National parties, India has a
significant presence of regional parties, and they are in power in many States. When regional
parties effectively highlight local concerns to the electorate, voters would not be swayed by
only national issues in the event simultaneous elections are held. It is important to note that in
a mature democratic system like India, the outcome of elections to the State Legislative
Assemblies or the House of the People (Lok Sabha) elections, whether conducted
simultaneously or separately, is influenced by a variety of factors, not solely by the timing of
the elections. 25. The Niti Aayog report further stated that during the 2014 General elections,
there was a notable tilt in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nationally. The data
from the Election Commission of India (ECI) reveals an interesting contrast in the case of
Odisha. Contrary to the prevailing national trend, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a regional party,
actually increased its vote share from 37.23% in 2009 to 44.77% in the 2014 Lok Sabha
Elections. In 2014, for instance, during the General elections to the House of the People in
Delhi, there was a strong wave in favour of a specific party, resulting in that party winning all
seven seats. However, shortly afterwards, in the 2015 election to the Delhi Legislature, there
was a significant reversal, and the State Party secured a sweeping victory. This indicates that
voters had a clear distinction between their preferences for the Central Government and the
party best suited to address their local issues.
VII. ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLITICAL WORKERS IN ELECTION

With simultaneous elections, the pressure on a candidate to contest multiple elections is

alleviated, thereby creating space for other party members to actively contest the elections.
This shift towards a more inclusive approach to candidate selection ensures that a broader
spectrum of party workers and leaders are afforded opportunities to represent their
constituency.

CONCLUSION:

Simultaneous elections may usher in an electoral architecture which augments the efficiency,
effectiveness, and inclusivity in our democratic process. It further addresses the challenges of
administrative complexity, financial strain, and voter disengagement. As the nation embarks
on the path toward electoral reform and innovation, the concept of simultaneous elections
emerges as a beacon of hope and progress, signaling a transformative journey toward a more
vibrant, resilient, and participatory democracy.

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