2025, Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part C

The idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) in India aims to hold Lok Sabha and state assembly elections at the same time. So far, most debates have focused on political and financial issues. This paper looks at another important but less discussed aspect the environmental and resource impacts of ONOE. Most of the people argue that ONOE would reduce costs and administrative burden. However, a deeper look shows both benefits and challenges. The study brings together secondary data and case studies to assess how ONOE might affect the environment, especially in terms of resource use (paper, electronic equipment), energy needs (polling stations, transport, data systems), and waste generation. A key concern is the lifecycle of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the huge demand for materials and manpower if all elections happen at once. India’s diverse climate and geography also add complexity. Compared to the current staggered model, ONOE might reduce the frequency of election-related resource use. At the same time, it could also create sudden, very high pressure on waste management, electricity supply, and infrastructure. The analysis shows that there is a serious lack of data on the real environmental costs and benefits of ONOE. While the idea of “green elections” is gaining attention, a major reform like ONOE cannot be called sustainable without more research. This includes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of election materials and processes, and region-specific studies on environmental risks.