Answer: The Central government recently set up a panel under former President Ram Nath Kovind to explore the feasibility of the ‘one nation, one election’ (ONOE) plan. In simultaneous elections, the election cycle is structured in a manner that syncs Lok Sabha and State Assemblies elections.

Feasibility Of ONOE Within Current Constitutional Framework:

• Altering the Fixed Tenure: The challenge is to alter the tenure of Lok Sabha or State Assembly from a constitutionally fixed limit of 5 years term. Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution fixes a term of “five years” and “no longer” for the Lok Sabha and Assemblies respectively.
• States' Consent: An amendment to these provisions would require a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament along with ratification by 50% of the states. Achieving States consensus will be a challenge.
• Amending Article 356: Article 356 may need an amendment as it allows President to delay elections in State only in a case of “Breakdown of constitutional machinery” on the report of the Governor.
• Midway elections: Situation like defections within political parties, emergency declared in states and Union Territories, President’s Rule, no-confidence motions could lead to dissolution of central or state governments. In that scenario, re-election will have to be held mid-way. This also requires multiple amendments.

Potential Benefits:

• Promoting National Unity and Integrity:  By emphasizing collective decision-making, and reducing divisive regional politics , thereby promoting a shared national identity and common goals among citizens.
• Economic efficiency of the election process: According to the report on simultaneous elections by the Law Commission, ONOE will lead to the saving of public money.
• For example, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections (held with four Assembly elections) was spread over nine phases and  of large number of CAPF personnels were deployed.
• Enhanced governance: Simultaneous elections may reduce disruptions in service delivery mechanism of government because a significant amount of time goes in election planning and strategizing it. Also, governance is hampered by repeated application of MCC during election season.
• Invisible socio-economic costs: Frequent elections come with hidden and hard-to-measure social and economic costs reducing the strain on the administrative setup. 
• For example, teachers have to leave schools and colleges to perform election duties.
• Reduced Voter Fatigue and Increased Participation: Frequent elections can lead to voter fatigue and reduced participation. A synchronized election system may re-engage voters and lead to higher voter turnout, resulting in a more representative democratic process.

Way forward:

• Avoiding premature dissolution: The Election Commission has suggested that the term of Lok Sabha could commence and end on predetermined dates.
• Conducting election in two phases: Parliamentary Standing Committee suggested  to conduct elections every 2.5 years in the country once the entire electoral cycles of Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies are synchronized.
• Schedule of Bye-elections: Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended that bye-elections to all seats that become vacant during a year may be conducted together during a pre-determined time period.
• Law Commission recommendations: Elections of legislative assemblies whose term ends six months after the general elections to Lok Sabha can be clubbed together. 

Creating awareness among the voters about the benefits and challenges, investing in the infrastructure and technology required for conducting simultaneous elections, building consensus among all political parties and states on the need and feasibility of simultaneous elections can be suitable steps ahead to move with the idea of simultaneous elections.