TOWARDS SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS: ASSESSING INDIA'S ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION PROPOSAL

India’s early democratic experience was influenced by colonial legislative councils and local elections. Historically after independence, India held simultaneous elections until the late 1960s when political disruptions began creating staggered electoral cycles. General elections at present are conducted separately for Parliament and state assembly when the incumbent government's tenure ends or gets dissolved for some reason. One Nation One Election is a proposal to synchronize elections for India’s Lok Sabha, state assembly and local self-governments. Simultaneous elections ensure convenience, will ensure higher economic stability and growth and will prevent policy paralysis and enhance focus on governance. For a sustainable political environment, democracy needs the active participation of citizens. For a voter National and state issues may sound different. The sudden implementation of the One Nation One election system may pose many issues related to provincial autonomy, disturbances in regional political ambiance and the requirement of constitutional amendments. Effective steps to preserve the ideology of federalism and synchronization of electoral cycles through consensus are essential for Indian democracy.