The idea of One Nation, One Election - holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies — has been one of the most discussed electoral reforms in recent years. The proposal, which aims to reduce election costs, administrative burden, and political disruptions caused by frequent polls, has taken concrete shape through the recommendations of the Ram Nath Kovind Committee, set up by the Government of India in September 2023.
The committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was tasked with examining the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections and recommending the necessary constitutional and legal changes. After extensive consultations with experts, political leaders, and election authorities, the committee submitted its detailed report to President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024. The report, running over 18,000 pages, outlined a step-by-step roadmap for implementing the system across the country.
The committee proposed that simultaneous elections should first be held for the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies, followed later by municipal and panchayat elections within a 100-day period. It recommended a set of constitutional amendments — including introducing Article 82A to synchronise the terms of Parliament and State Legislatures, and Article 324A to extend the framework to local bodies. It also suggested amending Articles 83 and 172 to permit flexible adjustment of legislative terms.
A single electoral roll and voter ID for all elections were proposed to avoid duplication and simplify logistics. The committee further advised that if any legislature were to dissolve early, the newly elected house should serve only for the remainder of the original term, keeping the national election cycle intact.
Following the submission of the report, the Union Cabinet approved its recommendations in September 2024. Two key bills — the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 — were then introduced in Parliament in December 2024. Both bills were referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of 39 members drawn from both Houses for detailed examination.
The JPC continues to deliberate on the proposed legislation. It has sought views from former Chief Justices, legal experts, economists, and constitutional scholars. Several experts have supported the idea in principle but cautioned that care must be taken to preserve the federal structure and prevent excessive centralisation of power. In particular, some legal experts warned against giving the Election Commission unrestricted powers to alter election schedules.
As of October 2025, no draft or final JPC report has been made public. The committee’s deadline for submitting its findings has been extended until the first day of the last week of the Winter Session 2025. The bills therefore remain under parliamentary scrutiny, and the constitutional amendments required for implementation have not yet been enacted.
According to JPC Chairperson P. P. Chaudhary, the earliest practical timeline for synchronised national and state elections would be around 2034. This projection allows time for all necessary legal amendments, state ratifications, and administrative preparations by the Election Commission.
While the proposal promises greater stability and efficiency, it also faces significant challenges. Achieving political consensus among multiple parties, safeguarding the federal character of governance, and ensuring logistical readiness for such a large-scale exercise will all be critical.
The One Nation, One Election initiative has thus moved from an abstract idea to a serious legislative and administrative proposal. If the process continues smoothly and gains nationwide support, India could see its first fully synchronised elections within the next decade — a reform that may fundamentally reshape how the world’s largest democracy votes.
The author is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Delhi