elections
Until 1967, most Lok Sabha and assembly elections were held at the same time; the cycle broke as assemblies were dissolved early. A committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind recommended simultaneous elections in 2024, and constitutional amendment bills were introduced in December 2024 and sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Supporters cite cost and constant campaigning; opponents cite federalism and voters’ ability to judge state and national issues separately.
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One election cycle saves money and lets governments govern.
With some election due somewhere almost every year, governments are always in campaign mode, and the model code of conduct repeatedly pauses new projects and announcements.
Holding elections together would cut the cost of security forces, staff and equipment deployed again and again, and the parties’ campaign spending.
Voter fatigue would fall and turnout could rise if people voted once every five years for both governments.
Synchronised elections weaken federalism and accountability.
States are not subordinate to the Centre. Tying assembly terms to the Lok Sabha’s means an assembly could have to be cut short or extended to fit the national cycle.
If a state government falls, the proposal is for a fresh election only for the rest of the term, so voters may face more short-term governments, not fewer elections.
Studies of past elections suggest voters often pick the same party at both levels when voting together, which could favour national parties over regional ones.
Whether the savings and steadier governance are worth the trade-offs for federalism and accountability. Key questions are what happens when a government falls mid-term, and whether combined elections would let national issues drown out state ones.
