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One Nation, One Electionu201d is a proposed electoral system that aims to synchronize elections across all Indian states and the Lok Sabha (the lower house of parliament). This concept calls for a significant restructuring of the Indian electoral cycle, enabling voters to participate in both state assembly and Lok Sabha elections on the same day or through phased voting.
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One Nation, One Election GS2: Polity and Governance
Historical Background • Simultaneous elections were held until 1967. Shift in practice in the late 1960s Evolution of the Idea • 1983: Introduction of the concept in the Election Commission's report • 1999: Discussion in the Law Commission's report • 2017: Examination in Niti Aayog's working paper • 2018: Highlighting of the idea by the Law Commission
Challenges • Term Synchronization: There is variability in the terms of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. There is a need to align these terms for simultaneous elections • Constitutional Amendments: There is a need of identifying key constitutional articles that require changes. • Building Consensus: There is need to build consensus in the public sphere as well as among the political parties, which is a challenge in itself.
Logistical Hurdles • Increased requirements for EVMs and VVPATs • Augmented polling personnel • Transportation complexities • Heightened security demands • EVM storage issues
Potential Solutions • Highlighting the historical precedent of simultaneous elections • Considering expansion to local body elections • Introducing fixed election dates • Examining alternative government formation • Discussing the need for constitutional amendments