Outlook Business Desk
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan aims to hold Lok Sabha and state elections together. It’s meant to cut down on frequent voting, lower costs and improve how the government works.
According to The Economic Times, the Election Commission of India (ECI) projected that conducting simultaneous elections in 2029 will require an expenditure of over Rs 5,300 crore, mainly for buying additional Electronic Voting Machines ( EVMs) and related infrastructure.
To facilitate simultaneous polls, the ECI estimates the need for approximately 48 lakh Balloting Units, 35 lakh Control Units, and 34 lakh VVPATs.
The ECI currently possesses over 30 lakh Balloting Units (BUs), 22 lakh Control Units (CUs) and nearly 24 lakh Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). Many of these devices, acquired around 2013–14, will reach the end of their operational life by 2029, necessitating significant new procurement, the report said.
The number of polling stations is expected to rise by 15% from the 10.53 lakh in 2024 to over 12.1 lakh in 2029, further increasing the demand for EVMs.
The ECI plans to maintain reserves of approximately 70% BUs, 25% CUs, and 35% VVPATs to replace defective units and ensure smooth electoral operations.
Holding simultaneous elections will need a lot of planning and support, like more storage space for EVMs, better supply systems and extra staff to manage the process.
Beyond 2029, the commission estimates a recurring expenditure of Rs 10,000 crore every 15 years to replace ageing EVMs, considering their 15-year shelf life.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan needs changes to the Constitution and has started a political debate about how it might affect the country’s federal structure and the way democracy works.