Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma has voiced his support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, recently greenlit by the Union Cabinet.In his remarks, he underscored the practicality and logic of holding simultaneous polls across the country, calling it a transformative reform for India’s democratic process.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ system seeks to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, urban bodies, and panchayats, aiming to streamline the electoral process.The proposal, based on recommendations from committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is expected to be implemented within the next 100 days.
The Speaker said this would significantly reduce the time, energy, and financial resources consumed by the current system of staggered elections held throughout the year. Praising the initiative, he said that holding multiple elections every year leads to unnecessary expenditure and diverts administrative focus from governance. “This reform is not only logical but also a practical solution to the continuous election cycle. Year after year, we see elections being held—whether for state assemblies or by-polls—leaving little room for consistent governance,” Sangma said, echoing sentiments shared by other proponents of the initiative.
However, he stressed that public opinion is critical in evaluating the proposal. While there may be overwhelming support at the national level, Sangma pointed out that people often make different choices when it comes to their respective states. “It’s important to remember that while the country as a whole may welcome the idea, individual states might have reservations, as people tend to vote differently in national and state elections,” he remarked.
The concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ aims to reduce the recurring disruptions caused by the frequent election schedules. Currently, elections in India are held across various levels—national, state, and local—often overlapping within short spans of time. Critics argue that this piecemeal approach negatively impacts governance and development, as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect each time an election is announced, halting policy decisions and developmental work.
Proponents like Sangma believe that synchronized elections will result in better governance and reduce the financial burden on both the government and political parties. As per the government estimates, the expenses incurred during elections run into thousands of crores of rupees, with political parties and candidates contributing heavily to the overall cost. A single, unified election cycle could slash these expenditures significantly.
However, despite the perceived advantages, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal also faces criticism from several quarters.
Regional parties and state governments have expressed concerns that it may dilute the unique identity and issues of each state, as simultaneous elections could make national issues overshadow regional concerns. Also, the implementation of such a large-scale electoral reform requires a massive overhaul of the Constitution, which currently mandates different electoral cycles for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Critics also argue that voters often differentiate between national and state elections, making distinct choices based on the political climate of the time. By synchronizing the two, voters may be less inclined to make such nuanced decisions, potentially undermining the federal structure of India’s democracy.
Some regional leaders have also expressed concerns that the political dominance of national parties could further marginalize smaller regional parties, making it harder for them to compete.