India, the world’s largest democracy, is caught in an electoral whirlpool. With elections occurring almost every year in some part of the country, governance takes a backseat, and political parties remain in perpetual campaign mode. The idea of One Nation, One Election (ONOE)—a synchronised electoral process for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies—has been debated for decades, but today, it stands as a necessity rather than just a political vision.
ALSO READ: Opinion | World Water Day 2025 “Preserve The Glaciers”
While critics argue that ONOE could weaken federalism and centralise power, the real cost of frequent elections is far greater. From policy paralysis to economic slowdowns, India suffers due to an outdated electoral structure that drains resources, disrupts governance, and fuels short-term populism over long-term development. The demand for electoral reforms is not new—former President Pranab Mukherjee, the Election Commission, and several constitutional experts have emphasised its importance. Even among the public, the clamour for a more structured electoral system is growing, as voters realise that frequent elections only serve political interests rather than national progress.
As we delve further, five crucial aspects emerge—how ONOE can benefit India in comparison to the current system, how other nations have succeeded with a similar model, how the present electoral cycle is holding India back, why ONOE is particularly significant for Assam and the Northeast, and how it can redefine Indian democracy.
1. Why One Nation, One Election is a Necessity for India
a) The Financial Drain of Frequent Elections: The 2019 Lok Sabha elections alone cost Rs 60,000 crore, and if we add state and local body elections, the cumulative expenditure runs into lakhs of crores every five years. The Election Commission of India (ECI), state governments, and security forces are in constant election mode, diverting crucial administrative resources.
b) Governance Disruptions Due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC): The MCC kicks in before every election, prohibiting governments from announcing major policy decisions. In a country like India, where infrastructure and welfare projects require consistent execution, frequent MCC enforcement stalls development. For instance, in 2018- 19, key budget allocations for rural development and employment generation were held back due to election restrictions.
c) The Endless Cycle of Populism: With elections occurring every year, political parties prioritise short-term gains over long term development. From loan waivers to free electricity schemes, governance often takes a backseat as parties focus on vote-gathering strategies rather than meaningful economic reforms. One Nation, One Election would shift the focus from constant campaigning to consistent governance.
2. Global Success Stories: How Other Nations Have Flourished with Simultaneous Elections: Several nations have reformed their electoral systems to ensure stability and efficiency. India, which follows a complex federal structure, can learn from these examples:
a) The United States: A Fixed Election Calendar: The US holds Presidential, Congressional, and Senate elections on fixed dates every four years, ensuring governance remains uninterrupted. This structured system eliminates uncertainty, allowing political parties to focus on policy rather than perpetual campaigning.
b) South Africa and Indonesia: Efficient Electoral Models: Both countries conduct simultaneous national and regional elections, reducing election related expenditure and ensuring long-term policy stability.
c) Germany: Federalism Without Electoral Chaos: Germany maintains synchronised elections while preserving state autonomy, a model that India could adapt while addressing concerns about federalism.
The success of these nations proves that synchronised elections lead to better governance, economic predictability, and reduced electoral corruption.
3. The Current Electoral Model: A Hindrance to India’s Progress: Despite being hailed as a vibrant democracy; India’s constant election cycle disrupts national progress. The following issues highlight why electoral reform is urgent:
a) Policy Paralysis and Delayed Development: Every time an election is announced, the MCC prevents governments from launching new projects, leading to delays in:
• Infrastructure development
• Budgetary implementations
• Welfare scheme rollouts
For example, the Bharatmala road project and key railway expansions have faced delays due to election restrictions.
b) Business and Economic Instability: Frequent elections create policy uncertainty, discouraging both domestic and foreign investments. Global investors prefer stable governance, and a structured election cycle would provide that.
c) Electoral Corruption and Black Money: Multiple elections encourage excessive corporate donations, black money circulation, and vote-buying tactics. A synchronised election system would curb the unchecked flow of illicit funds in politics.
4. Why Assam and the Northeast Need One Nation, One Election More Than Any Other Region: The Northeast, particularly Assam, suffers disproportionately due to frequent elections. The region’s geopolitical challenges, economic struggles, and security concerns make ONOE even more crucial here.
a) Political Uncertainty Weakens Development: Assam and other Northeastern states have historically experienced unstable governments, with coalition politics slowing down governance. ONOE would:
• Ensure long-term leadership stability
• Encourage focused development initiatives rather than shifting political priorities • Reduce unnecessary by-elections that drain state resources
b) Security Concerns and Disruptions: The Northeast has a volatile security environment, with insurgent activities often flaring up during election periods. Simultaneous elections would:
Prevent frequent redeployment of security forces for election duty
- Allow governments to focus on long-term security strategies rather than temporary law-and order measures
c) Investment and Infrastructure Development: Frequent elections create policy unpredictability, discouraging investment in sectors like:
• Tourism (which requires consistent marketing and infrastructure growth)
• Manufacturing (which needs stable industrial policies)
• Agriculture and trade (which benefit from steady governance rather than fluctuating subsidies)
ONOE would make Assam and the Northeast more attractive for business and infrastructural expansion.
5. A New Era for Indian Democracy: How One Nation, One Election Can Reshape the Future
a) Public Demand for Electoral Reforms: Contrary to political scepticism, a growing section of India’s population supports ONOE. Surveys by institutions like NITI Aayog and the Election Commission indicate that most of the citizens favour reducing election frequency.
b) Support from Renowned Individuals
- Pranab Mukherjee (Former President): Advocated ONOE to "strengthen governance and policy continuity."
- SY Quraishi (Former Chief Election Commissioner): Acknowledged that while execution challenges exist, ONOE could "curb black money and ensure stable governments."
- Narendra Modi (Prime Minister): Has called ONOE a "revolutionary step for India’s democracy."
c) Strengthening India’s Democratic Foundations: ONOE is not just an electoral reform—it is a step towards a more mature democracy that prioritises:
• Governance over politics
• Development over vote-bank tactics
• Policy consistency over reactionary measures
Conclusion: A Reform That India Must Not Ignore
One Nation, One Election is not an idealistic dream but a practical necessity. While challenges exist—constitutional amendments, political consensus, and logistical execution— the benefits far outweigh the hurdles.
India stands at a critical juncture—it can either continue the cycle of election-driven governance paralysis or embrace a structured electoral process that fosters development, stability, and accountability.
The choice is not just for political leaders to make. It is for the people to demand.
(The author is a student in the Department of Communication and Journalism at a university based in Guwahati. All views and opinions expressed are his own)
