One Nation, One Election: India will have to spend Rs 7,951 crore for simaltaneous polls in 2029

The Union Cabinet has greenlit the "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) bill, marking a significant step towards simplifying India's electoral process. A detailed bill will soon follow, setting the stage for nationwide synchronized elections.

Also Read: Cabinet approves 'one nation, one election' bill

One Nation, One Election aims to conduct simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a long-time advocate of One Nation, One Election.


Currently, elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are held separately, either at the end of a five-year term or when a government is dissolved for various reasons.

Previously, the Election Commission of India (EC) estimated that holding simultaneous elections across the country by 2029 would incur a cost of Rs 7,951 crore. In its report to the committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the EC stressed the need for sufficient lead time to address the extensive logistical requirements, which include updating voter rolls, acquiring additional voting machines, and organising security forces

As per a report by the Times of India (TOI) published earlier this year, the EC's input, which was first shared with the Law Commission in March 2023 and later reiterated in a January 2024 letter to the Kovind panel, pointed out that the number of polling stations nationwide would need to rise to 13.6 lakh by 2029. The EC also identified a shortage of 26.5 lakh ballot units (BUs), 17.8 lakh control units (CUs), and 17.8 lakh voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units.

Also Read: What is 'one nation, one election' bill? How it will change the way the polls are conducted in India

The logistical hurdles extend beyond equipment. While electoral rolls for assembly and Lok Sabha elections are streamlined, those for local body elections still need regularisation to ensure consistency. Moreover, delays in semiconductor supply chains have raised concerns about the timely production of voting machines.

The EC acknowledged the potential introduction of new EVM models before 2029, which could necessitate replacing all existing machines, adding further complexity to the procurement process. Additionally, the commission expects a substantial increase in manpower to manage the larger number of polling stations and ensure the security of elections.

Also Read: One Nation, One Election: Why is the bill so dear to BJP and why it is opposed

The EC has also projected a 50% increase in the deployment of central security forces for the One Nation, One Election in 2029, potentially requiring around 7 lakh personnel, based on previous forecasts. An extra 800 warehouses would also be required to store EVMs and VVPATs across the country.

While the One Nation, One Election proposal has gained momentum with the Union Cabinet accepting the recommendations of the Kovind committee earlier and now approvig the bill, significant logistical and constitutional challenges remain. The government is now working to make the necessary amendments to push the plan forward.