Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to the one-nation-one-election principles?
Based on 63 evaluated answers to this question on CollectorBabu: here is what aspirants most often missed, the mistakes that cost marks, and a model answer.
What most aspirants missed
- Specific committee recommendations: Law Commission 170th (1999) and 255th (2015) reports on simultaneous polls, and Goswami Committee (1990) on state funding
- Kovind Committee's two-phase model (Lok Sabha and Assemblies first, local bodies within 100 days)
- Constitutional provisions needed for ONOE, such as Articles 83 and 172, and the ratification question for changes affecting states
- Federal objections raised by constitutional experts, including impact on regional parties and state autonomy
- ECI's logistical concerns on EVMs, VVPATs and security force deployment
Common mistakes
- Listing general electoral problems without linking them to the specific committees that recommended reforms
- Making assertions about benefits such as stronger federalism or lower costs without explaining the mechanism or noting counter-arguments
- Writing notes-style points instead of coherent sentences, and using unexplained jargon like BCMA
- Giving a thin conclusion with no forward-looking element such as a pilot, a review body or safeguards
What the better answers did
- Tracing each reform to the committee that proposed it, with the year and the specific recommendation
- Setting out the constitutional changes needed for ONOE in a dedicated section
- Balancing benefits (cost, policy continuity, voter fatigue) with federal and logistical concerns
- Ending with a practical way forward such as pilots, separate ballots and safeguards for state autonomy
Introduction
Open by framing electoral reform around the constitutional principles of free and fair polls and universal adult franchise, then note why committees have repeatedly called for change.
Conclusion
Close by suggesting a phased pilot with safeguards for federalism and voter choice, and a review body to assess whether ONOE improves electoral integrity.
Model answer
Electoral reforms seek to keep elections free, fair and affordable, which are core to our constitutional commitments to universal adult franchise and secret ballot. Frequent polls, rising costs and money power have driven successive committees to recommend changes, and the proposal for One Nation One Election (ONOE) has brought these debates to the centre of policy.
Reforms suggested by committees
- Tarkunde Committee (1975) and Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990) recommended state funding of elections to reduce dependence on private and black money.
- Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) backed partial state funding of elections.
- Law Commission 170th Report (1999) recommended simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies; its 255th Report (2015) reiterated this.
- National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002) supported simultaneous polls.
- High Level Committee under Ram Nath Kovind (2024) proposed two phases: Lok Sabha and Assembly polls together, then local body polls within 100 days.
ONOE: benefits and constraints
- Benefits: lower cost of repeated polling, less policy paralysis from the Model Code of Conduct, and reduced voter fatigue.
- Constitutional changes: amendments to Articles 83 and 172 to align the terms of Houses and Assemblies, along with provisions for early dissolution of legislatures.
- Federal concerns: critics argue that national issues may overshadow regional parties and that early dissolution may weaken state autonomy and government stability.
- Logistics: the Election Commission has flagged the need for large numbers of EVMs and VVPATs and heavy deployment of security forces for simultaneous polls.
Way forward
- Pilot simultaneous polling in a few states before a nationwide rollout.
- Use separate ballot papers for Centre and State so that voters can choose freely.
Electoral reforms are needed to make elections cheaper, cleaner and more participatory. ONOE can deliver policy continuity and fiscal efficiency, but its gains depend on safeguarding federalism, voter choice and electoral integrity. A phased, consultative approach would allow India to reap these benefits without weakening its democratic structure.
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