Historical Context and ONOE Proposal in India

• Simultaneous elections in India have been practiced since independence.

• The enactment of Article 356, President’s Rule, disrupted this cooperative federalism cycle.

• Misuse of Article 356 has led to dismissal of elected State governments since 1950.

• Defection threatens the stability of State governments, leading to unconstitutional regime changes.

• The ONOE proposes aligning State election cycles with the Lok Sabha, leading to constitutional amendments.

• The proposal includes misuse of Article 356 and inadequacy of anti-defection laws.

• State governments would face tighter constraints in the ONOE, with their terms curtailed or extended to align with the national election cycle.

• The federal system allows States to function independently in solving localized problems.

• ONOE could blur the ability of electors to evaluate the performance of the State government.

• If a State government falls midterm, ONOE would lead to elections for a new government serving only the remaining time in the synchronised electoral cycle.

• Truncated terms are of concern to the Lok Sabha.

• Frequency of elections results in increased costs, disrupting governance.

• Implementing ONOE is monumental and could increase the burden on the ECI, security forces, and administrative machinery.

• A hurried imposition of ONOE without systemic reforms would be a frontal attack on the Constitution’s basic structure.