Electoral reforms in India have been a subject of discussion since long to enhance integrity, efficacy and transparency of the Indian election system. The “One Nation-One Election” concept, recently brought by the Ram Nath Kovind Committee, advocates simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Need for electoral reforms

• Strengthening electoral participation - Ensuring more voter turnout to strengthen participative democracy. Eg: the Dinesh Goswami committee suggested to enhance the involvement in democracy by simplifying the registration process.

• Criminalization of Politics - A growing number of elected representatives with criminal backgrounds pose a threat to the integrity of the electoral system. The Law Commission (2015) and Supreme Court rulings have emphasized the need to bar candidates with serious criminal charges from contesting elections.

• Political Corruption - Addressing the nexus between politicians and criminals to increase voters’ trust and faith in democracy. eg:  As highlighted by the Vohra committee report, electoral reform is the remedy to curb the nexus.

• Political Instability due to Frequent Elections -  India witnesses elections almost every year at different levels, leading to policy paralysis due to the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct.

• Decreasing Electoral Expenditure - Limiting the rising costs of elections is crucial to ensure a level playing field and prevent undue influence on electoral outcomes by wealthy candidates or parties. eg. The 2nd ARC report emphasized the need to curb spiraling electoral expenses to maintain the integrity of free and fair elections.

• Misuse of Technology -  The growing role of social media in influencing voters has raised concerns about fake news, misinformation, and the potential for manipulation.

• Improving Election Integrity - Strengthening mechanisms that ensure transparency and prevent manipulation in the electoral process is vital for upholding democracy. eg. The Election Commission of India and the Law Commission have advocated for reforms to enhance transparency and integrity in election funding especially electoral bonds.

One Nation – One Election:

Simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to streamline the electoral process.

• Need for Reform:
  • Reduced Expenditure: Conducting multiple elections leads to high administrative and financial costs. The simultaneous election model can help minimize these. Example: In 2019, the Lok Sabha elections alone cost ₹60,000 crores.
  • Consistent Governance: Frequent elections lead to policy paralysis and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, delaying crucial governance activities.
  • Reduced Voter Fatigue: Simultaneous elections may boost voter turnout by minimizing election fatigue caused by recurring polling cycles.

Challenges Highlighted by Committees:

• Logistical Issues: Synchronizing elections across all states is challenging due to differing political tenures and frequent dissolution of assemblies.
  • The Law Commission (2015) raised concerns over the feasibility of aligning all elections.
• Federal Structure Concerns:
  • Simultaneous elections might undermine the autonomy of states, with the Sarkaria Commission (1983) emphasizing that federal principles must be safeguarded.
• Constitutional Amendments Required:
  • The Election Commission has noted that the implementation of this model will require major constitutional amendments (Articles 83, 172, 85, and 356) to synchronize assembly terms with the Lok Sabha.

The implementation of One Nation-One Election holds the potential to strengthen India’s democratic process, ensuring efficient governance, cost savings, and enhanced voter participation along with a transparent electoral system.