One Nation One Election: Discussion on implications on Federalism, Basic Structure and Parliamentary Democracy

The One Nation One Election implies to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections to enhance administrative efficiency, reduce electoral costs and disruptions. The desirability of such an electoral reform is seen undebatable due to the rising costs of conducting elections, administrative disruptions in the wake of deployment of administrative and security personnel before and after elections and the policy inefficacy due to the frequent imposition of Code of Conduct considering the size of country. Apart from pros there are certain cons as well as though majority of political parties are agreeing on this there remains certain questions unanswered related to its impactions on India’s parliamentary democracy, Basic Structure Doctrine, federalism and voter engagement. The paper based on secondary data is a humble attempt to discuss and analyze the concerns related to federalism, parliamentary democracy, Basic Structure Doctrine and political participation and voter engagement. It further evaluates the constitutional challenges associated with implementing simultaneous election and explores international comparisons. The study argues that while one nation one election may bring stability and efficiency, it risks to undermine parliamentary ethos, federal autonomy, political participation & competition along with key constitutional principles such as Basic Structure Doctrine. The potential challenges and concerns necessitate that Indian state should opt a consultative approach with extensive dialogue with the stakeholders to keep the federal principles enshrined in the constitution intact.