Economist Gita Gopinath Backs ONOE, but Warns of Logistical Challenges | India News
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Gita Gopinath, a renowned economist and former IMF deputy chief, has expressed support for India's proposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) policy, citing its potential to boost economic activity. In a written submission to a parliamentary panel, Gopinath noted that synchronizing elections could reduce periods of pre-election uncertainty, shift public spending towards long-term infrastructure investments, and contribute to longer-term economic growth. However, she emphasized the need for further analysis of the logistical challenges and costs associated with implementing ONOE. Citing Indonesia's experience with simultaneous elections, Gopinath suggested studying the costs and benefits of such exercises in other countries and states in India where Lok Sabha polls coincide with state polls. Gopinath's submission highlighted the potential efficiency gains of consolidating costs incurred on logistics, security, and equipment, which are recurrently spent on staggered elections. She also recommended analyzing the experiences of states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim to gain a clearer understanding of the logistical challenges and cost-effectiveness of ONOE. While acknowledging the benefits of ONOE, Gopinath urged the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the policy's impact on federalism and the balance of power. The economist's views are significant, as the Indian government is considering the 129th Constitution amendment bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, which aim to implement ONOE. The proposed policy is expected to have far-reaching implications for India's electoral system and economy.
