ONE NATION ONE ELECTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Indian government has constituted a committee to look into the ‘One Nation, One Election’ issue and submit a report for a debate in Parliament.

One Nation One Election

• The current electoral system in the country conducts separate elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies with a five-year gap. 
• This happens either when the Lower House or state government's term ends or if either of them dissolves prematurely. The terms of state assemblies may not necessarily align with each other or with that of the Lok Sabha. Consequently, election operations occur throughout the year.
• It is considered crucial for mitigating the influence of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on developmental projects.
• It is envisioned as a means to reduce election expenses across various tiers.
• In its 2018 draft report, the Law Commission of India examined the potential and obstacles associated with simultaneous elections in India.
• The concept was first introduced by the Election Commission in 1983 and subsequently explored by the Law Commission and NITI Aayog.
• The One Nation One Election proposal suggests holding simultaneous elections in all states and the Lok Sabha every five years. 

oThis would require restructuring the Indian election cycle to ensure that state and central elections happen concurrently. 

oThis means that voters would cast their ballots for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on the same day, simultaneously, or in a phased manner as needed.