Explained: What is 'One Nation, One Election' Bill and how it will reshape democracy in India?

One of India’s much-talked-about Bills - One Nation, One Election (ONOE) - is all set to be tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, December 17. Having formed on September 2, 2023, ONOE has the power to bring a revolutionary constitutional change in India and reform how elections are conducted in the country. Here’s everything you need to know about the Bill explained in simple language.

What is the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill?

The 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) Bill is a proposed legislative initiative aimed at synchronising the elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies across India. The concept seeks to hold these elections simultaneously, thereby reducing the frequency of elections and ensuring a unified electoral process.

The idea is to address the challenges posed by frequent elections, such as administrative burden, high costs, and policy paralysis. The ONOE Bill aims to streamline the election process, improve governance, and reduce disruptions caused by the model code of conduct, which restricts government actions during election periods.

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Key people and institutions involved in ONOE

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi - An advocate for the concept who’s calling for national discussions on the feasibility of simultaneous elections.
2. Law Commission of India - Provided reports (170th and 255th) analyzing the pros and cons of simultaneous elections.
3. Election Commission of India (ECI) - The body responsible for conducting elections; tasked with exploring the operational challenges of implementing ONOE.
4. Special Committee - Recently formed to explore the implementation of ONOE, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind and Dr. Niten Chandra as Secretary General.

What’s the proposed implementation under ONOE?

1. Constitutional Amendments: Amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Indian Constitution will be necessary to align the terms of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
2. Legislative Overhaul: Changes to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to allow for early dissolution or extension of legislatures in case of non-synchronous terms.
3. Infrastructure Development: Massive resource allocation for additional electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPATs).
4. Pilot Projects: Conducting mock simultaneous elections in specific regions before rolling them out nationwide.

What could be ONOE’s impact on the system?

1. Electoral Process: A unified election cycle would mean that Lok Sabha and Assembly elections happen on the same date, requiring robust logistical planning.
2. Governance: Reduces the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, allowing uninterrupted policy implementation and governance.
3. Election Management: The Election Commission will face a significant increase in workload, necessitating additional resources and manpower.

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What could be ONOE’s impact on the citizens?

1. Ease of Voting: Citizens would only need to vote once every five years for both state and national representatives.
2. Reduced Election Fatigue: Frequent elections often lead to voter apathy; ONOE could encourage higher voter participation.
3. Cost Savings: Lower taxpayer money spent on conducting frequent elections.

Pros of the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill

1. Cost Efficiency: Reduces the financial burden of repeated election processes, including security, logistics, and administrative expenses.
2. Streamlined Governance: Eliminates frequent interruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct and allows smoother implementation of policies.
3. Improved Election Management: Focused allocation of resources and personnel for a single election cycle.

Cons of the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill

1. Logistical Challenges: Conducting simultaneous elections across a vast and diverse country like India would require immense planning, resources, and infrastructure.
2. Constitutional Hurdles: Amending multiple constitutional provisions requires broad political consensus, which may be difficult to achieve.
3. Federal Concerns: Critics argue that ONOE could undermine the federal structure by diluting the focus on state-specific issues.
4. Potential Voter Confusion: Mixing state and national elections might lead to voters prioritizing national issues over local governance.
5. Disruption in Case of Dissolution: If a government (state or central) falls prematurely, it could disrupt the synchronised cycle, necessitating interim measures.

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Examples of Similar Practices

Several countries, such as Sweden, South Africa, and Indonesia, hold simultaneous elections to streamline governance and reduce costs. However, their smaller size and simpler governance structures make it easier to implement compared to India.

What are the challenges in implementing ONOE?

1. Technical Readiness: Ensuring adequate EVMs and VVPATs for a nationwide simultaneous election.
2. Political Resistance: Gaining consensus from opposition parties and state governments.
3. Public Acceptance: Educating voters about the new system to avoid confusion.
4. Continuity in Governance: Developing contingency plans for unforeseen political disruptions.

The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill is an ambitious proposal with far-reaching implications for India's electoral and governance systems. While the potential benefits, such as cost efficiency and streamlined governance, are significant, the logistical, constitutional, and federal challenges cannot be overlooked.

Its implementation would require a phased approach, widespread consensus, and meticulous planning to ensure that it strengthens democracy rather than weakening it. By addressing concerns and ensuring inclusivity in decision-making, ONOE has the potential to become a landmark reform in India's democratic journey.

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