One Nation, One Election In 2029? NDA Explores Joint Polls In 22 States, UTs

The NDA is exploring a plan to align Assembly elections in the 22 states and Union Territories where it is in power with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections as the first step towards implementing the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) framework, instead of waiting for the 2034 cycle, The Indian Express reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

The move, if pursued, could require some state Assemblies to be dissolved before the completion of their current terms to bring their election schedules in line with the next general election, according to the report.

The discussions come as the Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) examining the ONOE Bills continues consultations with state governments, chief ministers, legislators, legal experts and other stakeholders.

JPC Examining ONOE Framework

The JPC was constituted in December 2024 to examine two Bills — the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a framework for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

Under the Bills currently being examined, all state Assembly elections would gradually be brought in sync with the Lok Sabha election cycle. This would mean that Assemblies elected after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following the general elections would have adjusted terms to enable simultaneous elections.

If implemented according to the proposed framework, the earliest full cycle of simultaneous elections would take place in 2034.

However, according to The Indian Express, the NDA is exploring whether this timeline can be advanced to 2029 in states where it currently holds power.

22 NDA-Ruled States And UTs Under Consideration

NDA currently governs 22 states and Union Territories. Of these, 11 are scheduled to hold Assembly elections in the two years before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

Four NDA-ruled states — Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha — already hold their Assembly elections alongside Lok Sabha polls.

The report said that if the NDA retains power in the states where elections are due before 2029, their Assembly terms could potentially be adjusted to align with the general election cycle.

Possible Early Dissolution Of Assemblies

According to the report, the NDA is examining whether state Assemblies can be dissolved before the end of their tenure to facilitate simultaneous elections.

Under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution, Governors have the power to dissolve state Assemblies. In practice, this is generally done on the advice of the Council of Ministers or when a government loses its majority.

Once an Assembly is dissolved, elections have to be conducted within the period prescribed under election laws.

If elections are aligned with the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, several states could see their Assembly terms shortened.

The Assemblies of Goa, Gujarat, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand could face a reduction of around three years, while Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Tripura could see their terms reduced by around four years.

BJP-Led States Signal Support

The proposal has received support from some NDA chief ministers during consultations with the JPC.

The Indian Express reported that chief ministers of Goa, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi expressed support for aligning election schedules after meeting the parliamentary panel.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government would consider adjusting the Assembly’s tenure if required.

“If aligning election schedules at the national level requires a suitable adjustment in Delhi’s tenure, the Delhi Government is willing to consider it with a positive approach. If required in the national interest, Delhi could be among the leading states to extend such cooperation,” Gupta said.

In Delhi’s case, such an adjustment would mean shortening the current Assembly’s tenure by around one year.

PP Chaudhary Says 2029 Implementation Possible

Earlier, JPC chairman and BJP MP PP Chaudhary told Outlook India that ONOE could still be implemented for the 2029 general elections if the legislation is passed by July 2028.

“Elections of several states can be done in 2029 and maybe their term will be reduced, but ONOE helps the nation. It should be implemented,” Chaudhary said.

He said simultaneous elections could reduce repeated election expenditure and limit frequent deployment of government machinery.

“It would help the country economically as we would not have to spend as much and the staff would not have to be deployed multiple times,” he said.

Chaudhary also argued that frequent elections could delay investment decisions.

“Investments are also stalled because of multiple elections. If it is close to an election date, people will wait because the next government may or may not be in favour,” he said.