Gujarat has positioned itself as a pioneer for the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, according to Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Speaking on Wednesday, Sanghavi highlighted that the state has already demonstrated the feasibility of this approach by conducting combined local body elections. This testimony was presented to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) currently visiting Gandhinagar.
The committee, led by BJP MP P. P. Chaudhary, is on a three-day tour to gather feedback on the constitutional and legal aspects of simultaneous polls. Sanghavi explained that Gujarat’s model of holding elections for municipal corporations and panchayats on the same day, or with minimal gaps, has proven highly efficient. The state government believes this strategy serves the interests of both the administration and the citizens.
- Reduced resource drain — Synchronized polls lower the financial burden on public funds and security forces
- Minimal work disruption — Frequent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct often halts welfare projects
- Voter convenience — Citizens are not required to travel to polling stations multiple times in a short period
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state administration argued that repeated electoral cycles cause significant delays in routine governance. Sanghavi pointed out that every election requires months of planning, which often distracts government staff from their primary duties. He noted that simultaneous elections could also lower local-level tensions that frequently flare up during staggered voting cycles.
The 39-member panel also met with representatives from the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to ensure a multi-party consultation process. JPC Chairman P. P. Chaudhary lauded the structured format of Gujarat's presentation, suggesting it could serve as a blueprint for other states. The committee is continuing its nationwide tour to assess the overall readiness for a unified electoral calendar across India.
