One Nation One Election: The Cusp Of A New Dawn Or The Dusk Of An Era
- IJLLR Journal
- Feb 1
- 2 min read
Ojaskar Mishra & Rahul Nishant, K.E.S. Shri Jayantilal H. Patel Law College, Mumbai
ABSTRACT
This article critically examines the proposal of One Nation One Election by presenting a balanced assessment of its potential to enhance governance alongside the democratic challenges it may pose. It traces the historical feasibility of simultaneous elections in India and highlights the contemporary problems arising from frequent, staggered polls, including voter fatigue, governance disruptions due to election protocols, excessive administrative and security deployment, economic uncertainty, and the growing dominance of perpetual campaigning over policy implementation. The article outlines the key arguments in favour of One Nation One election, such as improved electoral participation, reduced public expenditure, administrative efficiency, political stability, and the symbolic value of a unified national electoral exercise.
At the same time, the article underscores the concerns raised by critics regarding the centralisation of the electoral process, possible erosion of state autonomy, premature curtailment of legislative terms, and the overshadowing of regional issues by national political narratives. It argues that these risks may conflict with the constitutional principles of federalism, pluralism, and fair representation. By weighing efficiency-driven benefits against democratic imperatives, the article concludes that any move towards Simultaneous elections must be accompanied by carefully crafted constitutional and institutional safeguards to preserve the integrity of India’s diverse and federal democratic framework.
“Every Constitution is expected to endure for a long time. Therefore, it must necessarily be elastic. It is not possible to place the society in a straitjacket. The society grows, its requirements change. The Constitution and the laws may have to be changed to suit those needs. No single generation can bind the course of the generation to come” - Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala.
Keywords: Simultaneous elections, Basic structure, federalism, marginalization, democratic governance.
