One Nation One Election: Experts Discuss Impact on Industry at SGCCI Event

Surat : The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) recently hosted a special dialogue on ‘One Nation One Election and its Impact on Industries.’ The event featured BJP National General Secretary Sunil Bansal and Surat District Government Advocate and Public Prosecutor Nayan Sukhdwala as expert speakers. They discussed how synchronized elections could bring economic stability, reduce administrative costs, and benefit industries.

Political and Economic Stability Through One Election System

SGCCI President Vijay Mewawala emphasized that ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a historic initiative that could significantly impact India’s economic and political systems. He explained that holding simultaneous elections would minimize administrative costs, streamline policy implementation, and attract industrial investments. Stability in governance would lead to a favorable business environment, fostering innovation and global competitiveness for Indian industries.

Frequent Elections Hamper Development, Says BJP’s Sunil Bansal

BJP National General Secretary Sunil Bansal pointed out that the country is in a perpetual election cycle, causing frequent halts in development projects. He highlighted that government officials are often occupied with election duties, slowing down industrial and infrastructural growth.

“In every Lok Sabha election, over one crore government employees, including teachers, are assigned election duties, impacting governance and even disrupting students’ education. The Election Commission spends ₹1,400 per voter, excluding political party expenditures. Implementing One Nation, One Election will curb unnecessary political expenses and accelerate development,” said Bansal.

He further argued that synchronizing elections would improve voter participation, which currently stands at just 60%. “India is on the path to becoming a global leader. To achieve this, we must eliminate roadblocks like frequent elections and focus on long-term growth,” he added.

Industrial Disruptions and Inflation Due to Elections

Legal expert and Surat District Government Prosecutor Nayan Sukhdwala highlighted the economic impact of staggered elections. He noted that when elections occur frequently, industrial workers leave for their hometowns to vote, leading to reduced production and increased inflation.

He cited global examples, stating, “Countries like Sweden and Germany have a unified election system, which has contributed to their economic progress. India should follow suit to reduce public expenditure and increase efficiency.”

Sukhdwala also pointed out that during a five-year term, nearly 300 days—equivalent to an entire year—are spent conducting elections, causing delays in infrastructure and public welfare projects.

The Case for Returning to Simultaneous Elections

Surat BJP City President Paresh Patel emphasized that India initially held synchronized elections post-independence but later shifted to separate elections for different levels of government. “We are trying to reinstate a system that previously worked well. Frequent elections negatively impact production, which concerns not just politicians but also industrialists, traders, and citizens,” he said.

Chamber Honorary Minister Nirav Mandlewala provided data on Gujarat’s election history from 2019 to 2024. He noted that the state held six elections in five years, including Lok Sabha, municipal, and assembly elections, leading to an expenditure of ₹4-7 crore per election. He claimed that implementing One Nation, One Election could boost GDP by 1.5%, redirecting funds toward development projects.