What does One Nation, One Election mean, and what are the arguments for and against it?

One Nation, One Election is a proposal to hold Lok Sabha and state assembly elections at the same time instead of at different times across the five-year cycle. India did this in the first four general elections, from 1951-52 to 1967, until the cycle broke because some assemblies were dissolved early.

A high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind recommended simultaneous elections in its 2024 report, with local body elections following within a fixed period. A Constitution amendment bill to enable this was introduced in Parliament in December 2024 and sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Check the latest status, since it may have changed.

Arguments in favour:

• Lower election costs for the government and parties.
• Fewer periods under the Model Code of Conduct, which slows new policy announcements.
• Less disruption to administration, and security forces and officials would be used less often for election duty.

Arguments against:

• It would need major constitutional amendments, and some state assemblies would have to end their terms early.
• Critics say it may weaken federalism, with national issues overshadowing regional ones.
• It needs a very large number of EVMs and other logistical arrangements.
• Voters keep the government accountable more often when elections are held at different times.