One Nation, One Election: How the Government Plans to Roll It Out Step by Step

The Indian government's ambitious plan to implement 'One Nation, One Election' ( ONOE ) has taken a significant step forward with the Union Cabinet's acceptance of the Kovind panel 's recommendations. A group will be formed to execute the plan, which aims to streamline elections by holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha , state assemblies, and local bodies.

# Key Phases of Implementation
The implementation of ONOE will occur in two distinct phases:

• Phase 1: Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections

Both elections will be conducted simultaneously across the country.

• Phase 2: Local Body Elections

Within 100 days of the general elections, local body elections for panchayats and municipal bodies will take place.

Additionally, a common electoral roll will be used for all elections. Voter IDs will be prepared by the Election Commission of India in collaboration with state election authorities.

# Recommendations from the Kovind Panel
The Kovind panel’s report outlines the following steps to implement ONOE:

• Shortened State Government Tenures

After a designated "appointed date," all state assemblies will be aligned with the 2029 general elections. This means that governments formed between 2024 and 2028 will serve shorter terms to sync with Lok Sabha elections .

• Provisions for Mid-Term Crises

In case of a hung house or no-confidence motion, fresh elections will be held, but the newly elected government will serve only the remaining term until the next scheduled general elections.

# Constitutional Amendments
The panel has recommended 18 constitutional amendments to facilitate ONOE, including:

• First Constitutional Amendment

A new article (82A) will be added to outline the transition process to simultaneous elections.

• Second Constitutional Amendment

Article 324A will empower the central government to ensure local body elections are held alongside national and state polls. This bill will require ratification by at least half the states.

What Lies Ahead
The government aims to build consensus for ONOE, with widespread political support already reported. Two constitutional amendment bills will be introduced in Parliament, followed by discussions at national forums. Once passed and ratified, these bills will go to the President for final approval.

The Election Commission and state election commissions will collaborate to ensure smooth implementation, while the Law Commission is expected to provide further recommendations, focusing on holding simultaneous elections starting in 2029.

The concept of 'One Nation, One Election' promises to reduce the frequency of elections and improve governance efficiency, but it also presents challenges that require careful legislative and administrative planning.