One Nation, One Election (ONOE) is an innovative proposal aimed at conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and urban and rural local bodies throughout India. This initiative seeks to streamline the electoral process, significantly reduce costs, and minimize the disruptions often caused by frequent elections. Historically, simultaneous elections were practiced until 1967, after which the practice was abandoned due to the dissolution of various assemblies before completing their terms. Currently, only a few state assemblies, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, synchronize their election schedules with that of the Lok Sabha.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has acknowledged the logistical challenges associated with the ONOE proposal. In submissions to several committees, including one chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the ECI outlined the practical difficulties involved and the extensive resources required to implement such a plan. It has been estimated that the adoption of ONOE would necessitate a substantial increase in the number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines, leading to an overall expenditure of approximately Rs 9,284.15 crore. These machines would also need to be replaced every 15 years, incurring significant storage costs.
Executing simultaneous elections would demand a large-scale procurement of voting equipment, including 26.55 lakh ballot units, 17.78 lakh control units, and 17.79 lakh VVPATs. The estimated cost for these additions stands at Rs 7,951.37 crore. Furthermore, the ECI would need to deploy around 3 crore polling personnel and security staff, significantly escalating operational costs. Coordination of logistics such as transportation, warehousing, and first-level checking of machines would also need to be scaled up considerably compared to current practices.
The High-Level Committee on ONOE, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, sought input from the ECI regarding the feasibility of this electoral reform. In its response, the ECI reiterated the necessity for extensive resources, highlighting that Rs 8,000 crore would be required solely for procuring the necessary EVMs and VVPATs. It also noted that the logistical and financial requirements do not include additional administrative expenses for state election commissions responsible for local body elections.
The ECI has encountered various challenges when scheduling simultaneous elections, including weather conditions, legal disputes, and local political dynamics. For instance, despite efforts to align its election with other states, simultaneous elections could not be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir due to ongoing security issues. Coordinating elections across diverse states with varying political and legal frameworks presents significant obstacles.
According to the ECI, approximately 400-500 additional companies of security forces would be essential to ensure the safety of simultaneous elections. This need arises on top of the existing security personnel required during Lok Sabha elections. Effectively managing such a vast security apparatus across the nation is a considerable challenge. During recent administrative discussions, ECI officials emphasized that the current infrastructure and resources are inadequate for conducting simultaneous elections without significant scaling up.
The financial implications of implementing ONOE are substantial. The estimated cost for new voting machines is Rs 7,951.37 crore, which does not include expenses related to storage, transportation, maintenance, and initial checks. The ECI must also factor in costs for heightened security measures, personnel training, and coordination with state election commissions. Consequently, the total financial burden associated with ONOE would be significantly higher than that of regular staggered elections.
Implementing ONOE could potentially reduce the frequency of election-related disruptions, allowing governments to concentrate more on governance between election cycles. However, the substantial logistical and financial challenges present significant hurdles. The requirement for vast resources and coordination among various levels of government could strain the current electoral system. Moreover, ONOE would necessitate constitutional amendments and broad political consensus, considering the complexities inherent in aligning the terms of the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.
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