The ONOE plan aims to synchronize the timing of Lok Sabha (national) and State Assembly (regional) elections across all Indian states to reduce the frequency of polls throughout the country.
Initially, after the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections were held simultaneously until disruptions occurred in 1967.
Currently, only a few states like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha hold assembly elections together with the Lok Sabha elections.
In August 2018, the Law Commission of India (LCI) released a draft report on simultaneous elections, stating that constitutional amendments and the approval of at least 50% of states would be required to implement ONOE.
The LCI suggested that ONOE could lead to cost savings, reduced administrative strain, improved implementation of government policies, and greater administrative focus on development instead of electioneering.
The idea of simultaneous elections had been advocated as far back as 1999 by a previous Law Commission.
Concerns about ONOE:
Feasibility Concerns: Implementing ONOE raises questions about what would happen if the Central or State government collapses mid-tenure.
Would elections be held again in every state, or would President's rule be imposed? Amending the Constitution for such a change is a complex process.
Federalism Issue: ONOE may conflict with the concept of federalism, as it implies that the entire nation is "one," which contradicts the idea of India as a "Union of States."
Blending of Issues: Recurrent elections at different levels (national and state) prevent the blending of issues and ensure greater accountability, as the issues and priorities at these levels can differ significantly.
Cost Considerations: The Central government has emphasized the substantial costs associated with frequent elections, but some argue that the expense per voter per year is not exorbitant.
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