One Nation One Election: The Election Commission (EC) has projected a financial requirement of around $10 billion every 15 years for the procurement of new Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) if simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are implemented in India. This communication, directed to the government, outlines the financial implications and logistical needs associated with such an extensive electoral process.One Nation One Election: Financial implications, logistical challengesThe EC underscored that the shelf life of EVMs is 15 years, suggesting that one set of machines could be utilised for conducting three elections if simultaneous polls were to be held. The estimated need for polling stations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is 11.80 lakh across India.One Nation One Election: Two set of EVMs required for simultaneous pollsDuring simultaneous polls, each polling station would necessitate two sets of EVMs—one for the Lok Sabha seat and another for the assembly constituency. The EC highlighted that reserves of Control Units (CUs), Ballot Units (BUs), and Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are essential to replace defective units at various stages, including on the election day.The commission specified that, taking various aspects into account, the minimum requirement for simultaneous polls would be 46,75,100 BUs, 33,63,300 CUs, and 36,62,600 VVPATs. The tentative cost of EVMs stood at $7,900 per BU, $9,800 per CU, and $16,000 per unit of VVPAT as of early 2023.One Nation One Election: Additional infrastructure, personnel needsIn response to a Law Ministry questionnaire on simultaneous polls, the EC highlighted the need for additional polling and security personnel, enhanced storage facilities for EVMs, and more vehicles for the transportation of polling staff and security personnel.Emphasising the necessity of warehouses for the production of new machines, the commission indicated that the earliest simultaneous elections could be held in 2029.One Nation One Election: Constitutional amendments requiredThe ECs response to the Law Ministry stated that five articles of the Indian Constitution need amendments to facilitate simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. These articles include Article 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament), Article 85 (dissolution of the Lok Sabha by the President), Article 172 (duration of state legislatures), Article 174 (dissolution of state legislatures), and Article 356 (imposition of Presidents Rule in the states). Additionally, amendments would be necessary in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, relating to disqualification on the grounds of defection.One Nation One Election: Governments response, high-level committeeIn addressing this matter, the government has established a panel, chaired by former president Ram Nath Kovind, to examine the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in the country. The High-Level Committee on One Nation, One Election has been tasked with providing recommendations for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats.
