One Nation One Election Debate

One Nation One Election Debate: Law Commission’s July 2025 Report Insights

As India continues to evolve its democratic practices, the One Nation, One Election debate has once again taken center stage. On 1 July 2025, the Law Commission of India is expected to present its long-awaited report on simultaneous elections. This document may shape future electoral reforms and spark new discussions on federalism, administrative efficiency, and constitutional feasibility.

At The Prayas India, recognised as the Best UPSC Coaching in Mumbai, we break down this key issue for aspirants preparing for GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) and Essay papers.

What is One Nation, One Election?

One Nation, One Election (ONOE) refers to the idea of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies. The goal is to streamline governance, reduce election-related expenditures, and ensure smoother policy implementation without frequent disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct.

India held simultaneous elections until 1967, after which political instability and premature dissolutions at both central and state levels led to their divergence.

Why the July 2025 Law Commission Report Matters

The 22nd Law Commission, led by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, has conducted extensive consultations with political parties, constitutional experts, and election authorities. Their July 2025 report is expected to:

• Evaluate the constitutional and legal hurdles to implementing simultaneous elections

• Recommend necessary constitutional amendments (e.g., Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174)

• Address issues of federal autonomy, especially concerning dissolution of assemblies

• Explore phased or synchronised elections as an alternative to full ONOE

• Suggest measures to strengthen the Election Commission’s role in implementation

Constitutional and Legal Challenges

Implementing ONOE requires massive constitutional amendments. For instance:

• Article 83 and Article 172 define the duration of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies respectively.

• Early dissolution of any legislature would disrupt the synchronised cycle unless new mechanisms are created.

• It may challenge the basic structure doctrine if it is seen as interfering with the federal nature of the Constitution.

In addition, achieving political consensus across parties and states remains a significant hurdle.

Potential Advantages

• Cost Savings: Frequent elections are expensive. A 2019 NITI Aayog report estimated Lok Sabha and State elections cost over ₹60,000 crore collectively.

• Policy Stability: Reduces interruptions caused by Model Code of Conduct restrictions.

• Administrative Efficiency: Frees up security and government machinery from repeated deployment.

• Increased Voter Turnout: Some studies show combined elections improve voter participation.

Criticism and Concerns

Despite potential benefits, critics highlight serious concerns:

• Erosion of federalism: States may lose their autonomy to dissolve assemblies or hold elections independently.

• Voter behavior distortion: Simultaneous elections may blur national and state issues, leading to a “wave” effect that favours dominant national parties.

• Logistical challenges: India’s vast electoral scale would require massive planning, especially in terms of EVMs, security, and manpower.

Alternatives Under Consideration

The Law Commission may suggest phased synchronisation of elections—bringing a few states in line with the Lok Sabha every election cycle until uniformity is achieved. This is seen as a pragmatic middle path, preserving federal flexibility while aiming for efficiency.

UPSC Relevance

This topic intersects multiple areas of the UPSC syllabus:

• GS Paper II: Polity, Federalism, Election Reforms, Constitutional Amendments

• GS Paper IV: Ethics in electoral reforms, public trust, and transparency

• Essay Paper: Issues related to Indian democracy, governance, and electoral processes

• Interview: Candidates must be ready to take an informed stand on this key debate

The Prayas India’s Perspective

At The Prayas India, widely acknowledged as the Best UPSC Coaching in Mumbai, we train aspirants to:

• Understand legal and constitutional frameworks

• Weigh both sides of complex debates

• Stay updated with real-time policy developments

• Connect governance reforms to socio-political realities

Our GS II and Essay modules include live discussions and structured notes on ONOE and related issues, ensuring aspirants are ready for prelims, mains, and interviews.

Conclusion

As the Law Commission’s July 2025 report brings fresh momentum to the One Nation, One Election debate, India finds itself at a constitutional crossroad. While the vision of synchronised elections promises efficiency, it must balance with the principles of federalism, democratic representation, and political inclusiveness. The coming months will likely see intense parliamentary and public debate, making this a must-know topic for every UPSC aspirant.