Reimagining India’s Electoral Democracy: A Critical Analysis Of One Nation, One Election
- IJLLR Journal
- Oct 7
- 1 min read
Raghav Sakuja, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University)
ABSTRACT
India’s staggered electoral calendar has resulted in frequent elections, imposing administrative burdens, financial costs, and governance disruptions. The concept of One Nation, One Election (ONOE), recently formalized through the Constitution One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment Bill, 2024, seeks to synchronize elections of both Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This paper critically examines the historical evolution of India’s electoral cycles, the constitutional and legal framework governing elections, and the rationale behind ONOE. It analyses the potential economic, administrative, and political benefits alongside the challenges relating to federalism, legislative autonomy, and the doctrine of the Constitution’s basic structure. Discussing judicial precedents, Law Commission and High-Level Committee reports and scholarly commentaries. The paper provides a balanced assessment of ONOE, highlighting the trade-offs between governance efficiency, democratic accountability, and federal balance.
Keywords: One Nation One Election, Electoral Synchronization, Federalism, Constitutional Reform, Governance Efficiency.
