“One Nation One Election” is a concept gaining significant traction in India, advocating for synchronized election cycles for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This approach aims to bring efficiency, cost reduction, and continuity to governance by eliminating the need for frequent elections. India’s current electoral system is characterized by near-constant electoral activity, as elections are held for different states at different times across the five-year cycle, leading to a “perpetual election mode” that burdens resources and disrupts effective governance.
My journey—from attending the “Netritva Sadhana” leadership program at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini in 2013, which led to my involvement in Indian elections in 2014, to participating in the 2016 US Presidential Election, tagged with my continuous study of Kautilya’s Arthashastra and its application in modern day for a decade, and now my role as a Senior Executive Officer at a leadership academy—has given me a unique perspective on the potential benefits of synchronized elections to improve governance in India.
The Problem with Frequent Elections
Frequent elections create a significant burden on governance in India. Between 2019 and 2024, over 20 state legislative assemblies went to the polls at different times, resulting in a continuous cycle of electoral activity. According to the Election Commission of India, the recent 2024 Lok Sabha elections, conducted in May, incurred an estimated expenditure of ₹12,000 crore. The cumulative financial burden, when factoring in individual state elections, becomes enormous. On average, each state election costs between ₹500 crore to ₹700 crore depending on the state’s size and the logistical complexity involved. Furthermore, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections involved deploying over 1.2 crore officials, including security personnel, to ensure electoral integrity.
Kautilya’s wisdom is particularly relevant to this scenario:
“प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम्”
(prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam)
“In the happiness of his subjects lies the king’s happiness, in their benefit, is in his own benefit”
Kautilya Arthashastra (1.19.34)
This sutra highlights the importance of consistent governance focused on public welfare. Frequent elections often force political leaders to devote a substantial amount of time to campaigning instead of implementing long-term policies for sustainable development. In a synchronized election system, leaders would be able to focus more on long-term initiatives, avoiding the distraction of frequent electoral pressures. Kautilya’s emphasis on governance that serves the people without unnecessary interruptions is particularly applicable today.
The US Model: Learning from Synchronized Elections
Participating in the 2016 US Presidential Election gave me firsthand insight into the efficiency of a synchronized electoral system, where elections for the Presidency, the Senate, and the House of Representatives are conducted simultaneously. In 2016, with a population of over 320 million, the US was able to provide a cohesive approach to governance, highlighting how synchronized elections can bring about greater stability and continuity.
The ability of leaders to serve their full term without frequent election cycles aligns with Kautilya’s principle of governance.
Kautilya’s Principle of Governance:
“रक्षा पालनं च योगक्षेमं च”
(rakṣā pālanaṃ ca yogakṣemaṃ ca)
“Protection of the state, maintenance of law and order, and ensuring the welfare of the people” (6.1.1).
This sutra underscores the importance of maintaining a stable administration that can focus on protecting the state and ensuring public welfare. A synchronized electoral framework would enable leaders to concentrate on safeguarding the nation, maintaining internal security, and addressing the people’s needs without the recurring interruptions caused by election campaigns.
Logistical and Financial Benefits of Synchronized Elections
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections involved over 95 crore eligible voters, requiring over 11 lac polling stations and thousands of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The logistical burden of these operations is enormous, and the Election Commission of India must mobilize vast resources for each separate election cycle. In August 2023, the government formed a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility of “One Nation One Election.” The committee is focused on addressing the logistical, legal, and constitutional challenges involved in synchronized elections.
The cost savings from synchronized elections could be considerable. According to a NITI Aayog report, the cumulative expenditure of holding multiple separate elections runs into thousands of crores, imposing a significant strain on the public exchequer. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections alone cost the government approximately ₹12,000 crore, and state elections can cost an average of ₹500-₹700 crore each. By consolidating these elections into a single event, it is estimated that costs could be reduced by up to 50%, which would allow these savings to be redirected to public welfare initiatives and developmental programs.
Kautilya’s Emphasis on Economic Prudence:
“कोषमूलो दण्डः”
(koṣamūlo daṇḍaḥ)
“The treasury is the root of state power” (2.8.20).
This sutra emphasizes the importance of effective and efficient resource allocation. Conducting separate elections repeatedly increases costs and stretches both financial and human resources, which could be more effectively utilized in governance and development efforts.
Insights from the 2018 National Seminar on “One Nation One Election”
In January 2018, I attended a National Seminar on “One Nation One Election” organized at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini. The seminar brought together policymakers, scholars, and experts to discuss both the opportunities and challenges associated with synchronized elections in India. One of the significant topics discussed was the logistical complexity of organizing a single nationwide election, given the scale of India’s electorate. With over 95 crore eligible voters and the need for more than 11 lac polling stations, the challenges of implementation were a primary concern. However, the seminar also highlighted the immense benefits, such as reduced administrative burden, lower election expenditure, and the possibility of enhancing political stability by avoiding continuous election cycles.
The seminar emphasized the importance of constitutional and legal reforms needed to make “One Nation One Election” a reality. It also touched on the importance of political consensus, as this reform would require cooperation between state and central governments, a challenge that needs to be carefully navigated. The key takeaway for me was that the potential benefits in terms of governance efficiency and economic savings were significant, and while challenges exist, they are not insurmountable.
“Netritva Sadhana” and the Foundation for Leadership
The “Netritva Sadhana” program in 2013 was my first formal training in leadership, which offered me invaluable lessons on the importance of political stability for effective governance. The program focused on developing leadership qualities such as strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to make decisions for the collective good. One of the key learnings I took from this program was the value of maintaining stability in leadership, which is directly tied to the success of governance initiatives. This training laid the foundation for my understanding of governance from a strategic perspective, aligning well with Kautilya’s emphasis on internal stability.
Kautilya’s Teaching on Stability:
“स्वराज्यरक्षणं पूर्वं ततः कौटिल्यं कार्यम्”
(svarājyarakṣaṇaṃ pūrvaṃ tataḥ kauṭilyaṃ kāryam)
“First secure internal stability, then pursue broader ambitions” (7.1.1).
This sutra emphasizes the need to secure internal stability as a prerequisite for any significant national development. By synchronizing elections, India could achieve a more stable political environment, providing a foundation for long-term developmental goals. Frequent elections disrupt political stability and decision-making processes, affecting economic policies and governance effectiveness. Synchronized elections would mitigate these disruptions, allowing for a cohesive approach to national progress.
Personal Application of Kautilyan Principles
In my current role as a Senior Executive Officer at a leadership academy, I apply Kautilyan principles to guide leadership development, focusing on stability, strategic foresight, and public welfare.
Kautilya’s wisdom:
“सर्वकार्याणां सिद्धिः पूर्वं व्यवस्थित्या भवति”
(sarvakāryāṇāṃ siddhiḥ pūrvaṃ vyavasthityā bhavati)
“The success of all undertakings is rooted in proper planning” (9.4.27).
This sutra stresses that meticulous planning is key to achieving any significant goal. Without proper planning, even well-intentioned initiatives could fail to realize their potential. As a leadership developer, I focus on instilling in future leaders the value of strategic planning, understanding that every major undertaking needs a well-conceived, thorough approach to ensure its success. Stability and foresight are crucial, especially when the goal is long-term societal welfare.
Implementation Strategy for Synchronized Elections
Implementing synchronized elections in India, with its vast and diverse population of over 140 crore people and more than 95 crore voters, requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Logistical challenges, bureaucratic processes, political consensus, and legal frameworks must all be carefully navigated to ensure the successful execution of this reform.
The Election Commission of India would need to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to conduct elections simultaneously across all states. This includes setting up over the 11 lac polling stations, deploying electronic voting machines (EVMs), and coordinating security with millions of personnel. Additionally, constitutional amendments to align the terms of both state legislatures and the Lok Sabha would be necessary, involving cooperation between state and central governments. The scale and complexity of this task require meticulous planning, careful coordination, and political cooperation to align diverse interests and achieve a common vision for synchronized elections.
Conclusion
“One Nation One Election” represents a critical opportunity for India to enhance political stability, reduce administrative and financial burdens, and focus on strategic, long-term development. The recent steps taken by the government, such as forming a high-level committee to explore the feasibility of synchronized elections, reflect a serious intent to bring about this transformation. Despite logistical and legal challenges, the potential benefits—including governance stability, significant cost savings, and an uninterrupted focus on public welfare—resonate deeply with Kautilya’s vision of effective governance. With meticulous planning and coordinated execution, synchronized elections could pave the way for a more stable and prosperous India, where governance is focused, development is prioritized, and public welfare remains the primary goal of leadership.
