Introduction
'One Nation, One Election' refers to the idea of holding simultaneous polls for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha instead of separate and continuous elections. Simultaneous elections for third-tier bodies, such as panchayats and municipalities, may also be included in ONOE.
ONOE was the norm in India until 1967. Simultaneous elections were conducted for the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, due to the premature dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969, the simultaneous election cycle got disrupted. Further in 1970, the Lok Sabha was dissolved prematurely, and fresh elections were held in 1971. These events led to the breakdown of the cycle of simultaneous elections in India.
There have been several recent developments related to the 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE). The Government of India has constituted a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine this idea and recommend changes to the existing legal and constitutional framework. It is an interesting proposal that finds traction for economic, administrative and political reasons.