The program of the One Nation One Election as mooted by the Prime Minister of our country proposes the idea that frequent election cycles in India pose many challenges and unnecessary hindrances in the growth story of India. So election must be held for a specific period over the five-year term rather than sporadically spread over the whole term.
Despite being in political discussion since 1983, the idea of simultaneous election has not been implemented as yet because of the political, constitutional, and legal challenges it brings to the table. The idea of one nation and one election has found many supportive voices but many stakeholders have put up criticism on account of its do-ability and its implication on voting behavior. The uncertainty in the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies because of the various provision present in the constitution for the dissolution of the houses makes the matter all the more complicated.
Let us see what are the challenges in the implementation of one nation one election:-
Constitutional Amendments
Implementation of the 'One Nation One election' pitched by the Prime Minister himself would require significant constitutional amendments. Currently, the terms of the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies are not synchronized, and extending or shortening the terms of existing assemblies would require constitutional amendments, which can be a lengthy and complex process and may face opposition from various stakeholders.
Political Opposition
The implementation of simultaneous elections would require consensus and support from all political parties. Opposition parties may be reluctant to agree to simultaneous elections as they may fear losing the advantage of holding separate state elections at different times, where local issues and factors can influence voters differently. Achieving political consensus can be a significant challenge for a scheme of One Nation One Election to work.
Financial Implications
Conducting simultaneous elections would entail substantial financial implications. Holding elections across the entire country at the same time would require a massive increase in election-related resources, including personnel, security, logistics, and funding. Allocating these resources effectively and efficiently could be a significant challenge. However, financially it may fall easy on the government's purse in comparison to the different elections held at different times all over the country, but it would require a huge amount of resources at the same time all over the country to implement the One Nation One election.
Administrative Challenges
One Nation One election would put a tremendous burden on the administrative machinery. Conducting elections across the country simultaneously would require an enormous workforce, including election officials, security personnel, and support staff. The availability of adequate infrastructure, including polling booths, electronic voting machines, and transportation, would need to be ensured. Coordinating and managing such a massive operation in a synchronized manner would be a formidable task.
State-Specific Issues
India is a vast country with diverse regional issues and complexities. State-level elections often focus on local issues, regional aspirations, and specific concerns, which may not align with the national agenda. Simultaneous elections may limit the ability of political parties to address these local concerns adequately, leading to a dilution of regional representation. The local issues may be hijacked by the national issue which may hamper the decentralization of democracy in the country. This is one of the main disadvantages of the One Nation One election.
Political Campaigns and Voter Fatigue
Simultaneous elections would mean that political parties and candidates would need to conduct campaigns and engage with voters on multiple fronts simultaneously. This could lead to campaign fatigue among candidates, dilution of their messages, and reduced voter engagement due to the sheer volume of information and campaigning.
Constitutional Checks and Balances
The current system of staggered elections provides for a system of checks and balances. If simultaneous elections were to be implemented, it could concentrate significant power in the hands of the ruling party at both the national and state levels, potentially undermining the system of checks and balances essential for a healthy democracy. One Nation One election may reduce the accountability of political parties, however, it will help in forming a stable government with a full term of five years to implement their promises and fulfill their agenda.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Several legal and regulatory aspects would need to be addressed for the implementation of simultaneous elections. These include the role of the Election Commission of India, the legal provisions for conducting elections, electoral laws, and regulations. Coordinating and aligning these legal and regulatory frameworks would require careful consideration and planning.
Overall, while simultaneous elections have the potential to bring efficiency, reduce election-related expenses, and enable better governance, the challenges in implementing them in India are significant and require careful deliberation, political consensus, and systemic reforms. All the challenges mentioned here can be addressed and overall it is in the best interest of a country like India, which is in a developing state, to have a One Nation One election.