Conducting simultaneous polls across the country in 2029 will cost Rs 8,000 crore

The Election Commission of India (EC) has estimated that conducting simultaneous elections across the country in 2029 would require Rs 7,951 crore. In its submission to the committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind on ' One Nation One Election' (ONOE), the EC emphasized the need for a "definite lead time" to manage the significant logistical demands, which include updating electoral rolls, procuring additional voting machines, and coordinating security forces.

According to a TOI report, the EC's inputs, initially shared with the Law Commission in March 2023 and reiterated in a January 2024 letter to the Kovind panel, highlighted that the number of polling stations nationwide would need to increase to 13.6 lakh in 2029. To support the simultaneous polls, the commission identified a shortfall of 26.5 lakh ballot units (BUs), 17.8 lakh control units (CUs), and 17.8 lakh voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPATs).

Beyond these equipment needs, the logistical challenges are significant. The EC noted that while the electoral rolls for assembly and Lok Sabha elections are already streamlined, those for local body polls require further regularization to ensure uniformity. Additionally, supply chain disruptions for semiconductors have raised concerns about the timely production of voting machines.

With the potential for new EVM models to be introduced before 2029, the EC acknowledged that all machines may need to be replaced, further complicating the procurement process. Additionally, the commission projected a major increase in manpower, including presiding officers and polling personnel, to manage the expanded number of polling stations and ensure the security of the electoral process.

The EC also predicted a 50% increase in the deployment of central security forces for the 2029 synchronised elections, potentially requiring around 7 lakh personnel, based on previous projections. Furthermore, an additional 800 warehouses would be needed to store EVMs and VVPATs across the country.

The proposal for ONOE has gained traction, with the Union cabinet recently accepting the recommendations of the Kovind committee. However, both logistical and constitutional challenges remain as the government works to push through necessary amendments.