Union Minister Rajiv Bansal has thrown his weight behind the controversial 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, describing it as essential for India's long-term development and political stability.
Speaking at a public event, Bansal said the model of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies would not only improve the socio-economic and political structure of the country but also help in creating a strong, stable, and prosperous India.
The concept of One Nation, One Election has been debated in India for decades. Currently, Lok Sabha and state assembly elections are held independently, often resulting in multiple election cycles within a single year. The Election Commission of India has spent billions of rupees and diverted thousands of security personnel for conducting separate polls. Proponents argue that synchronising these elections would free up enormous resources, allow governments to focus on governance rather than perpetual campaign mode, and enable longer-term policy planning.
Bansal's comments come against a backdrop of renewed political momentum for the idea. In 2024, the President of India referred the matter to the Law Commission and the Election Commission for examination. A high-powered committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to study the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections.
Critics, however, raise concerns about federalism, arguing that forcing states into a single electoral calendar could undermine the autonomy of state governments and ignore regional issues that may demand earlier or different electoral responses. Some political parties have also expressed reservations, fearing that a blanket synchronisation could disadvantage regional players.
Bansal acknowledged the debates but maintained that the benefits — including reduced election expenditure, less disruption of developmental work due to the model code of conduct, and a shift in political focus from electioneering to governance — far outweigh the challenges.
The government is expected to take further steps toward implementing the proposal, potentially through constitutional amendments, after the recommendations from the expert committee are finalised.
