Simultaneous elections roadmap

• Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for "One Nation, One Election".
• The transition to simultaneous elections is anticipated to begin by 2029.
• This plan was endorsed by the high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Background

• The Kovind committee recommended conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the initial step.
• This would be followed by synchronizing local body elections within 100 days of these elections.
• Objective: To streamline the electoral process, potentially reducing the frequent electoral cycles and associated costs.

Steps Involved

• First Step: The simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies can be implemented with a constitutional amendment approved by Parliament alone.
  • A ratification by states will not be required for the amendments, once it is approved by Parliament.
• Second Step: Synchronizing municipal and panchayat elections will require ratification by at least half of the states in addition to Parliament’s approval.

Constitutional Amendments

• The amendments will involve changes to Article 83 (duration of Lok Sabha) and Article 172 (duration of state Assemblies).
• If approved, these changes will lead to a transition where some state Assemblies might have to be dissolved early to facilitate simultaneous elections.
• If the amendments fail to get parliamentary approval, the notification will become null and void.

Challenges

• Opposition parties have raised concerns about the impact on federalism and the constitutional integrity of such a change.
• States that recently had elections will see their governments' terms truncated to align with the new schedule, potentially leading to political instability.