India Set to Implement 'One Nation, One Election' by 2034, Government Unveils Roadmap

National News: In a notable stride toward electoral reform, the Indian government is moving ahead with its ambitious vision of ‘One Nation, One Election’, aiming to synchronize Lok Sabha and state assembly elections across the country by 2034. Based on the suggestions from a high-powered task force, preparations are underway to introduce and pass the necessary constitutional and legal amendments before 2029.

A step-by-step roadmap has been formulated to align the electoral timelines of different states between 2029 and 2034, ensuring that all major elections can be conducted simultaneously.

Task Force Proposes Phased Implementation

despite the fact  Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is still examining the bill, the government has already appointed a task force that has submitted a detailed plan. The report recommends initiating a mass awareness campaign starting in 2029, involving community groups, intellectuals, NGOs, and other stakeholders to build support for the move.

Strategies to Handle Early Assembly Expiry

The report outlines solutions for instances where a state assembly's term ends before 2034. It proposes temporary extensions or interim measures to ensure that elections are not held separately. To facilitate public understanding, a 17-slide presentation has been created for distribution through state channels, the media, and public forums.

Senior leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a member of the task force, has been promoting the proposal in public discussions, calling it a step toward efficient governance.

Key Benefits of Holding Joint Elections

The central government plans to raise public awareness on five major advantages of holding elections together:

• Reduction in overall election expenditure and administrative burden
• Improved policy continuity and governance stability
• Stronger policy coordination between central and state governments
• Higher voter participation and reduced election fatigue
• Positive economic implications due to streamlined processes

Experts and stakeholders who have shared their inputs with the JPC have largely supported the proposal, pointing to its long-term benefits.

EVMs Here to Stay: No Return to Ballot Papers

During the review process, some members of the JPC proposed reinstating ballot paper voting, but the government purify that such a shift is not under consideration. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will remain in use for all future elections, as the focus remains on improving efficiency, not changing the voting method.

Potential to Save 5 Lakh Crore

The 2019 general elections reportedly cost over 1.35 lakh crore, with an average expense of about 1,400 per vote. Holding separate elections for Parliament and individual states is estimated to cost around 7 lakh crore. nevertheless, if elections are held together, the total cost could be deduted to 2 lakh crore, saving approximately 5 lakh crore.

The next JPC meeting to deliberate further on the bill is scheduled for April 22.

If the roadmap goes as planned, 2034 could mark a new era in Indian democracy, with a more unified, efficient, and cost-effective electoral process reshaping how the country votes.