The long-discussed concept of "One Country, One Election" is set to be implemented during the current term of the Narendra Modi government, according to sources. Prime Minister Modi reiterated this commitment during his recent Independence Day speech, underscoring the government's determination to see it through.

A high-level committee led by former President Ramnath Kovind has already submitted a report recommending simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This would be followed by synchronised local body elections within 100 days. The Law Commission is also expected to endorse the proposal soon, advocating for concurrent polls for all three tiers of government—Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies—starting in 2029. The plan includes provisions to handle situations like hung assemblies or no-confidence motions with unity governments.

In his Independence Day address, PM Modi highlighted the disruptions caused by frequent elections, making a strong case for the unified poll framework, which was also a key promise in the BJP’s manifesto. Government sources are optimistic that consensus will be reached among various political parties for its implementation.

However, the Opposition has raised concerns, citing potential constitutional challenges. Syncing electoral cycles across states without disrupting governance remains a key hurdle. Questions have also been raised about how the government will manage situations involving the dissolution of houses, President’s Rule, or hung legislatures.

Regional parties, with limited resources, have voiced concerns that they might struggle to focus on local issues if elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies occur simultaneously. The cost of procuring electronic voting machines (EVMs) for these elections, estimated at ₹10,000 crore every 15 years, is another challenge flagged by the Election Commission.