The Union Cabinet approved the “One Nation, One Election” proposal on Tuesday, which aims to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with urban and panchayat polls scheduled within the next 100 days. This initiative has been a key agenda for the ruling BJP in the last two elections, as outlined in its 2019 and 2024 manifestos. However, implementing this proposal requires amending the Constitution in at least six areas, necessitating the support of two-thirds of Parliament. The BJP-led government holds a simple majority but lacks the two-thirds majority in both Houses.
Following parliamentary approval, the proposal must also be ratified by all states and Union Territories, indicating a challenging road ahead. Opposition parties have already pledged to resist the initiative, making its practical implementation difficult. In a diverse nation like India, conducting simultaneous elections could disadvantage citizens and smaller parties, resembling a presidential election rather than a parliamentary one. Separate assembly elections allow voters to express their discontent with the central government’s policies, further complicating the government’s push for this change amidst significant opposition.