Report : Manthan "One Nation, One election "

Introduction 

This report attempts to understand and analyze the significance, awareness and acceptance of One Nation One Election concept in India. The report is based on the field study, survey, focused group discussions, personal interviews, campaigns, debates and discussions conducted by the Policy Root Research Foundation. As election is the fundamental element of any democratic system. It is the way democracy makes itself visible and vivid. The quality and prolonged existence of democracy is decided by how free and fair electoral process is. This free and fair election is seen as an essential postulate of democracy. Therefore, it is pertinent for the common and conscious citizens to understand every aspects of electoral process so that it can flourish in our favour. So, in this episode, the concept of ‘One Nation-One Election’ i.e Simultaneous Elections become equally important to be understood. 

Simultaneous elections means elections to all the three tiers of the Constitutional institutions i.e. House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha) and Local bodies taking place in a synchronized manner. It means that a voter casts his or her vote for electing members to all the tiers of the Government on the same day. The notion of simultaneous election is not a new matter, as evidently, elections in India after independence for the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously during 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. In such a situation, the need of serious, in-depth and comprehensive discussions have been felt from the people of the country, intellectuals, political parties, psephologists, civil societies, organizations etc. Our organization 'Policy Root Research Foundation' is known for playing its positive role in nation building through in-depth study and research on various important topics for the last three years. 

Therefore, PRRF has launched various events and programmes to bring the topic ‘one nation-one election in public domain. By making this country free from electoral complexities, this step towards making elected governments accountable to the people seems to be extremely important. The objective of one nation-one election campaign is not to benefit any political party, but not to exploit resources and money which must be utilized in the development of the country. In this regard, the opinion of every citizen of the country is very important for us.

The organization launched a nationwide 'Manthan' campaign on 07.02.2021 at Assi Ghat, Varanasi and public awareness program was also organized by Sand Art work as part of this campaign which started in view of one nation-one election. Along with this, the National Referendum Campaign also started, in which approximately 5000 people participated and put their views through answering the relevant questionnaire.

The Policy Root Research Foundation has also started various dialogues in various metros, cities of the country under this campaign in which various political leaders and representatives have participated and opined their views on One Nation-One Election. The Policy Root Research Foundation will carry out more public awareness programs across the country under this campaign by conducting seminars, ideological discussions, street plays, survey, schedules, focused group discussions, personal interviews and meetings. 

The idea of "One Nation, One Election" in India has generated significant debate and discussion among various stakeholders, including political parties, legal experts, and the general public. These debates revolve around both the potential advantages and disadvantages of implementing such a system.

The findings of this report indicate that there is substantial awareness and support for the adoption of "One Nation, One Election" in India among the general public. Respondents recognize the potential benefits of the reform, including improved governance, reduced electoral expenditure, and enhanced political stability.

Therefore, through this report, Policy Root Research Foundation tries to analyse and compile the comprehensive and in-depth opinion of the people via nation-wide survey, debates, discussions, campaigns, etc. to unpack all seen-unseen perspectives of One Nation One Election. 

 

Literature Review

The idea of simultaneous election has been discussed by the Election Commission of India several times.  Moreover, many of the reports have argued in favour of conducting the simultaneous elections in India such as First Annual Report of the Election Commission of India, 1983, 170th Report of Law Commission of India “Reform of Electoral Laws” (1999), and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its 79th Report. All these reports have suggested holding simultaneous elections for long term good governance. No report by govt. agencies against the holding of simultaneous election could be found by law commission. 

First Annual Report of the Election Commission of India, 1983 entails in favour of holding simultaneous election due to reduced expenditure, effective use of manpower and Human Resource, continuous elections also affects the day to day functioning of the govt. both at state and the centre creating hardships for common people as the entire administrative machinery freezes. For the conduct of elections, civilian personnel running into about twenty-five lakhs of officers and staff and a few lakhs of police personnel are deployed every time for about two to three months thereby seriously affecting their normal duties. During elections whether for the Lok Sabha or the Assemblies, the entire administrative set up throughout the country slows down considerably and all other normal functions and activities of the Government, including developmental work, are pushed to the background. These create a lot of hardships and sufferings to the common man. The situation continues for about 2 months during the conduct of every General election (Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies).

79th Report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, 2015 also supported the idea of simultaneous elections on ground of duplicity of expenditure, policy paralysis during model code of conduct, burden on manpower etc. in his report on “Feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies”. The report argues holding of political rallies during frequent elections disrupts road traffic, impact the essential service delivery, and also leads to noise pollution. These adverse impacts can be minimized through holding simultaneous elections. 

Ashutosh Bairagi also argues in his paper “One Nation One Election in India: A Contemporary Need vis-a- vis a Matter of Mere Discussion” that “elections are considered the biggest celebration of democracy. If we look at the elections held in the country, we find that every year elections are held in one or the other state. Due to this continuity of elections, the country remains in constant electoral mode. This not only affects the administrative and policy decisions but also puts a heavy burden on the exchequer of the country. According to an estimate, more than 60 thousand crore rupees were spent in the recently held 17th Lok Sabha elections and the country was in election mode for almost three months. Similar situation prevails in different states of the country almost throughout the year. In such a situation, the idea of 'One Nation One Election' can get rid of these situations (Bairagi, 2022)”.

Mr. Sandeep in his article “One Nation-One Election: Possibilities and Challenges in India” also opined that “Political parties and ministers are constantly in election mode due to the irregular timing of elections. As a result, parties delay changes or make decisions based on short-term considerations, disrupting and distorting agendas and depriving the public of clear policies. By holding concurrent elections, the ministers will be able to devote a solid four years to enacting programmes and helping their constituents (Sandeep, 2022).”

In a working paper titled “Analysis of Simultaneous elections: the What, Why and How” NITI Aayog proposed to conduct elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assembly, simultaneously was deliberated upon. The report analyzed the existing constitutional provisions, financial and logistical implications relating to simultaneous elections and worked out a framework for conduct of simultaneous elections. The aforesaid reports indicate the desirability of holding simultaneous elections on more than one count. These reports also point out that heterogeneous needs of the nation will get reflected as national parties will be contesting elections focussing on regional issues and regional parties focusing on national issues, thereby bringing the regional parties into mainstream politics and promoting their growth (NITI Aayog, 2017). 

On the eve of Republic Day, 2017, former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed the nation and opined that “the time is ripe for a constructive debate on electoral reforms and a return to the practice of the early decades after Independence when elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held simultaneously. It is for the Election Commission to take this exercise forward in consultation with political parties”. 

The honorable President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind also stated during addressing the joint session of parliament that “Frequent elections put on hold development programmes, disrupt normal public life, and impact essential services and burden human resource with prolonged periods of election duty. My government welcomes a constructive debate on simultaneous conduct of elections to Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies”.

During addressing the concluding session of the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the voice for “One Nation, One Election” and a single voter list for all polls in order to prevent the impact of the model code of conduct on development works every few months due to frequent spread-out polls. The Honorable Prime Minister also held that “One Nation, One Election' isn’t just an issue of deliberation but also a need of the country. Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work. Therefore, it’s a must to have a deep study and deliberation on ‘One Nation, One Election’,”

All the above mentioned reports, arguments and statements advocates for simultaneous election and support the notion of One Nation- One Election which will not only save the public money but also help in reducing the burden on administrative set up and security forces. Further, it will also ensure the better, smooth and effective implementation of schemes and policies of governments in time bound manner without frequent hampering of the developmental works.  

Objective of the Study

Broad Objective

The broad objective of conducting this study about "One Nation, One Election" in India is to gather comprehensive and systematic data, insights, and opinions from various stakeholders and the general public to assess the feasibility, desirability, perceived benefits and potential challenges of implementing this electoral reform.

Specific Objectives

1. To determine the level of awareness among the general public regarding the concept of "One Nation, One Election.

2. To analyse the perceived advantages of implementing simultaneous election system, such as cost savings, political stability, and efficient resource utilization.

3. To quantify the extent of support or opposition to the idea of simultaneous elections across different levels of government (local, state, and national) among the surveyed population.

 

Methodology & Data Collection

This section of the report deals with the methodology and sample technique adopted for the study. This study puts emphasis on the empirical results and is the collection of information based on the primary research following the survey questionnaire methods and random sampling to gather the opinions of people/respondents to fulfil the very objectives of this research study. The survey questionnaire is consist of eight close-ended questions and one open-ended question to compile the general opinions of the public on one nation one election. 

Major Areas and Unit of Study 

The unit of the study is male and female, i.e 2588 male and 2306 female in total 4894 respondents participated in the survey. Since, the study seeks to understand the general opinion of public regarding their knowledge, information and awareness about the one nation one election more specifically, therefore people who are registered voters have been taken into consideration. The field study has been taken place in Varanasi. Moreover the debate discussion, seminar and webinar have been conducted across the country such as in Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Gujrat & Patna as per convenience and feasibility of resources. More specific and details regarding the survey data can be observed in appendix attached with this report.

 

Analysis of Survey Data

The analysis of survey data provides compelling evidence of significant support for the "One Nation, One Election" concept among the surveyed population. With 96% of respondents expressing support and strong majorities reporting awareness and understanding of the proposal, the data suggests that there is substantial public backing for this electoral reform.

Further analysis exploring the factors influencing views, as well as the perceived benefits and advantages of the proposal, reveals a nuanced picture. While political affiliation, education, and geographical location play a role in shaping views, there is a remarkable level of consensus on the potential benefits of cost savings and political stability associated with "One Nation, One Election."

Among those who expressed support for the idea, a significant majority of 84% believe that it will lead to the development of the country. These supporters likely see the potential benefits of cost savings, political stability, and efficient resource allocation as contributing to national development The survey findings highlight a substantial level of support for "One Nation, One Election" among the respondents who are aware of the proposal. Among supporters, a majority believe that it has the potential to pave the way for the development of the country, emphasizing the perceived benefits associated with this electoral reform.

The survey findings emphasize the extent to which supporters of "One Nation, One Election" believe in its potential to address pressing issues such as corruption control and economic crises. Among respondents who expressed support, i.e 82% believed that simultaneous elections through "One Nation, One Election" would help in controlling corruption in the country. These results highlight the perceived positive impacts associated with the concept, underscoring the importance of public opinion in the discourse on electoral reforms. Moreover, 78% people believe that it will control the circulation of black money.

The report presents arguments and evidence in favour of the implementation of "One Nation, One Election" as a potential solution for reducing electoral expenditure and addressing security issues in India. As 94% of respondents expressed their opinions in support of one nation one election that it will reduce the expenditure burdens and security issues and its deployment in the country during the election.

The survey data reveals that in now a day people are more aware of their rights and one of the critical questions which arise that whether the simultaneous election will impact regional issues? But data says that more than 51% people believe it will not hide the local or regional issue in front of national. 

These results underscore the importance of understanding public opinion and the beliefs of those who support significant electoral reforms. While the majority of supporters in this survey see a positive developmental impact, it is essential to consider diverse viewpoints and engage in informed discussions when evaluating and implementing such reforms

These insights underscore the significance of considering the public's perspective in discussions and policy considerations related to this electoral reform proposal and advocates for its implementation by considering all its potential benefits. 

Recommendations & Suggestions for the Implementation of One Nation One Election

The implementation of "One Nation, One Election" in India is a complex and multifaceted proposal that aims to synchronize the electoral cycles of the Lok Sabha (parliament) and state legislatures to reduce the frequency of elections and promote governance efficiency.

• Legal Framework

The government should develop a comprehensive legal framework outlining the process, timelines, and mechanisms for conducting synchronized elections. The legal framework should allow for adaptability and periodic review to accommodate changing circumstances and address any unforeseen challenges that may arise during the implementation of synchronized elections. 

In summary, a robust legal framework is essential to ensure that the implementation of "One Nation, One Election" is conducted in a democratic, transparent, and constitutional manner. It provides the necessary legal structure to address complex issues, protect the rights of all stakeholders, and uphold the principles of democracy and federalism in India.

• Electoral Reforms

Before implementing the One Nation One Election the government should simultaneously undertake broader electoral reforms to improve the transparency, accountability, and fairness of the electoral process. This could include campaign finance reforms, voter registration, and electoral boundary delimitation. 

• Voter Education

To effectively implement "One Nation, One Election" and ensure its acceptance among the Indian populace, a comprehensive and sustained voter education campaign is essential. It should encompass various media channels, community engagement efforts, and educational programs to reach a wide range of citizens and promote a well-informed and engaged electorate to promote the democratic values and informed voting decisions.

• Technological Infrastructure

A robust technological infrastructure is essential for the efficient, secure, and transparent implementation of "One Nation, One Election" in India. It not only helps synchronize elections but also enhances the overall integrity and accessibility of the electoral process, ultimately strengthening the country's democratic institutions. By strengthening the technological infrastructure to facilitate the smooth conduct of synchronized elections, including the deployment of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).

• Fiscal Considerations

Before adopting the One Nation One Election, it is pertinent to analyse the financial implications of simultaneous elections and allocate adequate funds to support the transition and ongoing synchronization efforts and also important to explore cost-sharing mechanisms between the central and state governments to ease the financial burden and safeguarding the federal structure and promoting the cooperative federalism in the country.

Ultimately, the successful implementation of "One Nation, One Election" in India requires a cautious and collaborative approach that respects the country's democratic principles, constitutional framework, and diverse political landscape. Prioritizing consensus-building, transparency, and fairness in the process is essential to ensure its long-term success.

Conclusion

Conclusively, it can be opined that the "One Nation, One Election" concept in India, which aims to synchronize elections at various levels of government, has been proposed with several perceived benefits such as cost reduction, efficient use of resources, stable governance, minimized politicization of issues, efficient governance and resource allocation to better planning and execution of development projects, etc. All these perceived and potential benefits advocates for the execution and implementation of one nation one election in the country. The implementation of One Nation One Election should be approached with caution and thorough consideration of the complexities and challenges involved. The findings and analysis of this study also strongly support and recommend for the execution of simultaneous election along with a balanced and consultative approach, with a focus on upholding democratic principles and respecting the diversity of India's federal structure, is crucial in making an informed decision about its adoption.

Events Conducted for gathering the opinions of public on One Nation One Election 

Launching of the Brochure of One Nation One Election by the Hon’ble Sri Ratnakar, General Secretary (organization) of Gujarat BJP at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

The launching of the "Manthan" campaign dedicated to "One Nation, One Election," initiated from Varanasi, the spiritual city on the banks of the Ganges, with a focus on awareness and voter engagement.

 

The research team of Policy Root Research Foundation on launching of “Mathan” dedicated to One Nation One Election.

Public participating in the event and expressing their opinions on One Nation One Election 

Webinar conducted by the Policy Root Research Foundation on One Election: Possibilities & Challenges, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister Mr. Bhupendra Yadav Ji as a Chief Speaker.

Events covered by the eminent national and local newspapers about the events of Policy Root Research Foundation on One Nation One Election.

Appendix I

Survey Questionnaires