News18 Pulse: One Nation, One Election | 72.1% Respondents Say Simultaneous Polls Would Boost Voter Turnout
As part of the survey, News18 interviewed a total of 4,573 people across 29 states and union territories of India, with 508 from the central parts, 713 from the east, 1,270 from the north, 602 from the north-east, 911 from the south, and 569 from...Read More
More than three-fourths of respondents—72.1%—of the News18 Pulse One Nation One Election (ONOE) survey believe holding simultaneous elections would improve voter turnout in India. The support was higher in the northern (81.8%), central (79.1%), and eastern (76.4%) regions, and slightly lower in the southern (64.2%), northeastern (62.8%), and western (60.8%) parts.
As part of the survey, News18 interviewed a total of 4,573 people across 29 states and union territories of India, with 508 from the central parts, 713 from the east, 1,270 from the north, 602 from the north-east, 911 from the south, and 569 from the west.
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Data collection was done between December 23 and December 31, 2024. While 86.5% of the respondents were Hindus, 66.1% were urban and 33.9% were rural. A total of 73.7% were male, while 81.7% were in the 26-55 age group.
Nearly two-thirds of the respondents identified as businessman/trader, land owner (farmer), white collar worker, and housewife. Almost 68% indicated they had college or higher education.
According to a high-level committee, the first bill will insert a new article—82A—into the Constitution, to establish the process by which the country will transition to simultaneous elections.
The second bill will introduce Article 324A in the Constitution to empower the central government to make laws to ensure parallel elections of municipalities and panchayats with Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
The first amendment bill will not need ratification from the states. But matters related to polling in local bodies are under the state subject and will require the second amendment bill to be ratified by at least half the states.
After the ratified bill is passed in both Houses with prescribed majorities, the bills will go to the President for assent.
The One Nation One Poll will be implemented in two stages: first for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, and the second for local body elections within 100 days of general elections. The Centre will initiate detailed discussions throughout the country.
According to the high-level committee, an “appointed date" should be set to notify the move. All assemblies formed by state elections after the appointed date shall only be for the period up to the subsequent general elections in 2029. This means for the transition, a date after the Lok Sabha elections will be decided.
In the states with elections after that date, their tenure will be short-terminated to be parallel with the general elections.
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