Modi Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation, One Election’: State Election Calendars to Change, Gujarat Elections Might Be Advanced

The Modi government is progressing towards conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections across the country. The Cabinet, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, has approved the proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election’ in India. 

In a meeting held on Wednesday, the Modi Cabinet granted approval for holding elections simultaneously in the country. According to reports, this bill will be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised ‘One Nation, One Election’ in 2014.

Prime Minister Advocates for ‘One Nation, One Election’ in Independence Day Speech

In his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on August 15, the Prime Minister also advocated for ‘One Nation, One Election.’ He mentioned that frequent elections are hindering the country’s progress. 

A committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, formed to deliberate on ‘One Nation, One Election,’ submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on March 14. The report is 18,626 pages long. The panel was formed on September 2, 2023, and the report is the result of 191 days of research after discussions with stakeholders and experts.

What Are the Benefits of Simultaneous Elections?

• Savings in the billions spent on elections.
• Elimination of the need for frequent elections.
• Focus will shift from elections to development.
• Relief from the constant enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
• Control over black money usage.

32 Political Parties Support ‘One Nation, One Election’

The committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, reached out to 62 political parties regarding the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal. Out of the 47 parties that responded, 32 supported the idea of holding simultaneous elections, while 15 opposed it. According to the report, 15 parties did not respond.

The committee, formed under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind to deliberate on ‘One Nation, One Election,’ submitted its 18,626-page report to President Droupadi Murmu on March 14. The panel was established on September 2, 2023, and the report is the outcome of 191 days of research after discussions with stakeholders and experts.

Key Recommendations of the Panel on ‘One Nation, One Election’

• The terms of all state assemblies should be extended until the next Lok Sabha election in 2029.
• In the case of a hung assembly (where no party holds a majority) or a no-confidence motion, new elections can be held for the remaining part of the 5-year term.
• In the first phase, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections can be held together, followed by elections for local bodies within 100 days in the second phase.
• The Election Commission, in consultation with state election authorities, will prepare a single voter list and voter identification card for Lok Sabha, Assembly, and local body elections.
• The Kovind panel has recommended advance planning of resources, manpower, and security forces to facilitate simultaneous elections.

Kovind Committee’s Research and Structure on ‘One Nation, One Election’

The Kovind Committee prepared its report after researching the election processes of seven countries. The committee consists of 8 members and was formed in September 2023.

On September 2, last year, the 8-member committee was established under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind. The first meeting of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ committee was held on September 23, 2023, at the Jodhpur Officers’ Hostel in Delhi. 

The committee includes former President Ram Nath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah, and former MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has been appointed as a special member of the committee.

Current Possibility of Implementing ‘One Nation, One Election’

To implement ‘One Nation, One Election,’ the term of several state assemblies will need to be shortened. For states where assembly elections are scheduled by the end of 2023, their term may be extended. 

The report also mentions that if all parties agree on the Law Commission’s proposal, it will be implemented starting in 2029. Additionally, assembly elections in 25 states will need to be conducted by December 2026 to align with the plan.

First Phase: 6 States to Vote in November 2025

• Bihar: The current term will complete, and the next term will last only three and a half years.
• In Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, the current term will be reduced by 3 years and 7 months. The subsequent term will also be for three and a half years.

Second Phase: 11 States to Vote in December 2026

• Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand: The current term will be reduced by 3 to 5 months. The subsequent term will be two and a half years.
• Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura: The current term will be shortened by 13 to 17 months. The next term will last two and a quarter years.

Term Completion and Future Proposals After Two Phases

After these two phases, the term of all state assemblies in the country will end in June 2029. According to sources, the Kovind Committee will seek additional proposals from the Law Commission, including those related to incorporating local body elections into the plan.

What is ‘One Nation, One Election’?

Currently, in India, state assembly and Lok Sabha elections are held at different times. ‘One Nation, One Election’ means that Lok Sabha and state assembly elections should be held simultaneously across the country. This would involve voters casting their ballots for both Lok Sabha and state assembly members on the same day, either all at once or in phases.

After independence, Lok Sabha and state assembly elections were held together in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, many state assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968 and 1969. Subsequently, the Lok Sabha was also dissolved in 1970, breaking the tradition of simultaneous elections.