The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) proposal held a crucial meeting on Monday, with several prominent opposition leaders also participating in the deliberations. JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary said that nearly 99 per cent of stakeholders consulted so far are in favour of holding simultaneous elections across the country. The development comes amid reports suggesting that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' system could be implemented as early as 2029 instead of 2034. If implemented, Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections could be held simultaneously in 2029.
The JPC is currently examining the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill, which seeks to pave the way for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. The Monday meeting was attended by JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule, among other members. Opposition parties have been strongly opposing the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, arguing that simultaneous polls could have implications for the federal structure and the functioning of state governments.
What did PP Chaudhary say?
Amid the ongoing discussions, JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary said that the committee has so far interacted with a large number of stakeholders and that an overwhelming majority of them support the idea of simultaneous elections. "Of all the stakeholders we have spoken to so far, 99 per cent are in favour of One Nation, One Election," Chaudhary said. He further said that the system could be implemented in 2029 if there is sufficient political will.
Chaudhary also said that P Chidambaram presented his party's position on the One Nation, One Election proposal during the JPC meeting. The comments have added momentum to speculation that the government could look at an earlier implementation of the proposed electoral system, potentially bringing the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections together in 2029.
Did India have One Nation, One Election earlier?
India has previously followed a system in which Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections were held simultaneously. The first general elections in 1952 were conducted alongside state Assembly elections. The same pattern continued in 1957 and 1962. The 1967 elections were also held simultaneously for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. However, the cycle was disrupted after 1967 when the Assemblies of several states were dissolved and President's Rule was imposed in those states. The 1972 general elections were also held ahead of schedule, further breaking the cycle of simultaneous elections. The proposal now under discussion seeks to restore simultaneous elections, with 2029 being discussed as a possible year for holding Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections together.
Why is One Nation, One Election being proposed?
Supporters of the 'One Nation, One Election' system argue that frequent elections can affect governance and slow down the pace of development. They maintain that repeated elections require government machinery and public resources to be diverted towards election-related duties. The implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during election periods can also affect the announcement and execution of certain government decisions and development projects.
Another argument concerns government school teachers and other public employees who are frequently deployed for election-related duties. Supporters say this can affect regular administrative work as well as the functioning of schools. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said on Monday that frequent elections can act as an obstacle to development and argued in favour of a system that reduces the disruption caused by repeated polls.
What arguments is the Opposition making against 'One Nation, One Election'?
- Holding elections every five years is a constitutional requirement.
- What will happen if a government falls after just two years?
- Imposing President's Rule until the next election if a government falls would not be appropriate.
- Holding elections in a state only for a three-year term would also be unfair.
What are the key benefits of 'One Nation, One Election'?
- It would provide relief from frequent elections.
- Election-related expenditure would come down.
- The pace of development would increase.
- GDP growth could rise by 1.5 per cent.
- Inflation could decline by 0.50 percentage points.
- Administrative efficiency would improve, allowing government schemes to be implemented on time.
What impact would 'One Nation, One Election' have on state Assembly terms?
If the 'One Nation, One Election' is implemented in 2029, the terms of several state Assemblies may have to be curtailed to bring their election cycles in sync with the Lok Sabha elections. Eight states are scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2028. These include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram. Under the existing cycle, the Assemblies elected in 2028 would normally have a five-year term until 2033. However, if simultaneous elections are held in 2029, their terms would have to be cut short by around four years.
Seven states due for elections in 2027
There are seven states where Assembly elections are scheduled for 2027. These are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Gujarat, Manipur, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The Assemblies elected in these states would normally have terms extending until 2032. However, if One Nation, One Election is implemented in 2029, elections in these states would have to be held around three years earlier than the end of their normal terms.
Five states held elections in 2026
Five states and one Union Territory, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, held elections in 2026. Their current terms are expected to continue until 2031. If simultaneous elections are held in 2029, voters in these states would have to go to the polls around two years before the end of their existing Assembly terms.
Delhi and Bihar may face early elections
Delhi and Bihar held Assembly elections in 2025, giving their current Assemblies terms extending until 2030. Under a 2029 One Nation, One Election framework, elections in these two states would therefore have to be held around one year ahead of the scheduled end of their terms.
Eight states already aligned with the 2029 election cycle
There are also eight states where Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in 2029, making the transition relatively easier. In Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana, Assembly elections are held shortly after the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh hold Assembly elections alongside the Lok Sabha polls. As a result, the synchronisation of Assembly elections with the 2029 Lok Sabha polls may not pose significant difficulties in these states.
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