One Nation, One Election: Balancing Efficiency and Representation In Indian Politics
25-03-2025
India’s political landscape is witnessing debates on the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) initiative, which proposes synchronized elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Although India practiced simultaneous elections from 1951 to 1967, the rise of regional parties and increasing political diversity led to the fragmentation of electoral cycles. This article critically examines the ONOE concept, exploring its historical context, potential benefits, and implications for India’s federalism and pluralistic democracy.
Historical Context and the Evolution of ONOE
India conducted simultaneous elections during its first four general elections (1951–1967). The Congress Party’s dominance in this era allowed for a unified political agenda centered around nation-building. Until 1967, Indian elections were largely dominated by the Congress party due to its broad-based appeal as an umbrella organisation that represented the varied interests of the Indian population. The party included delegates and representatives from all classes, castes, and religions, making it difficult for other political parties to compete effectively or form a substantial opposition. This dynamic, described by Rajni Kothari as the "Congress Party System," ensured that regional issues took a backseat to national concerns. In the years following independence, the primary focus across India was on nation-building and establishing a foothold in the Western-dominated global order. (Ray, 2006).
These trends highlight a few indications about our electoral polity. A strong central position can indeed influence state-level elections. Managing a synchronized electoral cycle that aligns with the Centre while respecting state-level power dynamics is a significant challenge, especially without frequent recourse to President’s Rule (Hindustan Times, 2018). This is reminiscent of the Congress in 1993, when it led a similar number of states. Considering the subjects of the polity, one can come to a logical conclusion that the entire nation was focused on what the Congress set as the agenda. During this time, the political culture of India was, what is called “subject participant culture”. Indian citizens were politically aware. They had developed positive orientations to all types of political objects. This helped the conduct of simultaneous elections, particularly the Congress party, moving the nation on one single political discourse – nation building activity.
Benefits of ONOE
Supporters of the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) initiative argue that it would enhance administrative efficiency, reduce financial burdens, and improve governance. The current system of frequent elections has led to a continuous political cycle, diverting attention away from governance. Political leaders and parties remain in a state of perpetual campaign mode, which delays policy implementation and encourages short-term populist measures instead of long-term development planning. Synchronizing elections would allow elected representatives to focus on governance and policymaking without the distraction of upcoming polls. (Nair, 2024).
From a financial perspective, election expenditures have been increasing exponentially. The 2019 general elections cost the Indian government nearly ?60,000 crore. Holding separate elections at different times further exacerbates these costs, as administrative and security expenses are repeatedly incurred (The Hindu, 2025). A unified electoral schedule would alleviate this financial strain, enabling better allocation of government resources. (Waza, 2023). Another significant advantage is the potential increase in voter turnout. Research indicates that simultaneous elections could foster greater engagement among the electorate by creating a larger, more impactful electoral event. This could be particularly beneficial in India, where voter apathy has been a persistent issue (Prakash, 2024).Furthermore, a synchronized electoral process could improve the quality of political discourse, shifting focus from short-term populist rhetoric to substantive policy discussions. Political parties would be compelled to address governance challenges more holistically rather than engaging in fragmented, election-centric strategies (Waza, 2023).
The Role of Regional Parties
Regional parties have significantly shaped India’s political narrative since the 1960s, addressing localized concerns, cultural identities, and developmental priorities often overlooked by national parties. (Chhibber & Kollman, 2004)Their rise was catalysed by dissatisfaction with centralized governance and the need to address regional disparities. For instance, states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Punjab have seen the emergence of strong regional parties advocating for linguistic, cultural, and economic autonomy.
Regional parties act as a counterbalance to the centralizing tendencies of national politics. (Hasan, 2002). They amplify the voices of marginalized communities and ensure that governance remains sensitive to diverse regional needs. For example, coalition governments at the national level have often relied on regional parties to highlight local issues, ensuring a more inclusive policy-making process.
The ONOE proposal raises concerns about the potential marginalization of regional parties. Scholars argue that simultaneous elections could undermine their influence by shifting the political narrative towards national issues, overshadowing state-specific concerns. This could weaken the autonomy of state governments and reduce the effectiveness of India’s federal structure (Tillin,2016 and Aiyar,2023). To address this, institutional mechanisms that safeguard regional representation must be prioritized.
Social Cleavage Theory and Electoral Dynamics
India’s socio-political landscape is deeply influenced by social cleavages such as caste, religion, and language. These cleavages shape electoral behavior, as political parties align with specific social groups to mobilize support. The staggered election system currently allows these divisions to remain diffused, ensuring that no single identity dominates the political discourse. (Chandra, 1999; Yadav, 2020).
Social cleavage theory underscores the importance of cross-cutting identities in maintaining democratic stability. For example, policies like affirmative action and linguistic federalism have balanced competing identities, enabling India’s democracy to thrive in a pluralistic environment(Economic & Political Weekly, 2024). However, simultaneous elections risk amplifying dominant cleavages by merging national and state-level issues into a singular electoral event. This could intensify identity-based politics and marginalize smaller, identity-driven groups. By spreading electoral contests over time and space, it diffuses social tensions and prevents dominance by a single cleavage. Scholars like Elazar (1994) and Vanaik (2007) argue that India’s federal structure accommodates diversity and maintains civil peace, safeguards that simultaneous elections could undermine.
Impact on Federalism
India’s federal system is designed to balance the powers of the Union and the states, ensuring localized governance and addressing regional aspirations. India is a holding together federation, metaphorically called as a salad bowl model. Like a salad’s ingredients, different cultures are brought together, but rather than coalescing into one homogenous culture, they strive to retain their own individual flavours. In a polity such as this, if institutional attempts are made to homogenise the subjects, into making a melting soup model, the foundational principle of India – unity in diversity will soon be lost. At times of heightened polarisation and communal tensions, the last thing India would want is to dismantle the federal nature of our system.
The rise of regional parties over the decades has changed the political discourse. For example, the Manipur issue arose nation-wide comments and exchange of political dialogues. This is a classic example for nationalisation of regional politics.(Sinha,2005). Protecting regional interests and maintaining state autonomy are necessary ancillaries of India’s federal polity. By aligning state and national elections, the distinctiveness of state-specific issues could be overshadowed by broader national narratives, leading to a homogenization of political priorities. This could undermine the federal principle of "unity in diversity," a cornerstone of India’s governance model. Additionally, regional parties, which are vital for addressing local concerns and representing diverse voices, might find their influence diminished, challenging the very fabric of cooperative federalism.
Lessons from Comparative Contexts
Countries like Sweden, Indonesia, Belgium, and South Africa offer insights into the implementation of simultaneous elections. Sweden’s synchronized elections for national and municipal councils have enhanced voter turnout and streamlined governance. However, the overshadowing of local issues by national campaigns remains a concern. This system was implemented to reduce political instability and simplify governance, given Belgium's internal divisions, which include significant language and regional differences. (Deo,2024). Belgium's approach to simultaneous elections has proven to be cost-effective and helped in streamlining governance.
Indonesia’s experience underscores the logistical and social challenges of simultaneous elections. While synchronized polls have stabilized governance and increased female representation, they have also highlighted the risks of marginalizing smaller parties and regional issues. (Sage Journals, 2019). Similarly, Belgium’s federal system illustrates the complexities of balancing national and regional priorities in a diverse polity. (Deo,2024).
However, these examples have limited applicability to India. Unlike these relatively homogeneous nations, India’s socio-political diversity and first-past-the-post electoral system pose unique challenges to implementing ONOE. Additionally, the proportional representation systems in countries like Sweden and South Africa facilitate coalition-building, a mechanism absent in India’s electoral framework.
Recommendations for a Balanced Approach
Given the complexities of implementing ONOE, a phased and consultative approach is essential. Key recommendations include:
Conclusion
The ONOE proposal represents a bold vision for electoral reform in India, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and stabilize governance. However, its implementation must navigate significant challenges, including risks to federalism, democratic diversity, and logistical feasibility. India’s socio-political complexity demands a cautious and inclusive approach that balances efficiency with the preservation of its federal and democratic ethos.
By addressing logistical hurdles, safeguarding regional representation, and fostering voter awareness, India can explore the potential of simultaneous elections without compromising its foundational principles. Ultimately, the success of ONOE will depend on its ability to harmonize the goals of efficiency and representation in one of the world’s most diverse democracies.
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