Ashish Sood pushes ‘One Nation, One Election’ to cut costs, lighten load on teachers

Backing the conduct of one election across the nation, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday said a single-cycle election would save costs and promote better public participation, strengthening the democratic fabric of our country.

The minister shared his support for unified elections while attending an event organised by the Democratic Teachers’ Forum at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi.

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Addressing the gathering, including teachers and students, Sood expressed faith in the voters’ wisdom to make prudent choices and keep a distinction between the state and central matters. “Today, the Indian voter is wise and discerning; they understand the difference between state and central issues and make informed decisions,” he said.

The minister stressed that multiple elections disrupt the school calendar, impacting the students’ education, as teachers are constantly involved in election duties, including as booth-level officers. He rooted for conducting elections once in every five years instead of every six months, saying the measure can lead to savings of up to Rs12,000 crore.

Sood proposed that the money saved could be directed to fund scholarships, build smart classrooms, and promote research in education.

To strengthen his case, he cited the example of single-phase elections held in 1999 in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, and pointed to a significant rise in voter turnout — 11.5% and 21% in Arunachal Pradesh, and 20% in Kerala.

He reaffirmed his stand for unified elections and its role in nation-building. Sood said ‘One Nation, One Election’ will reduce the administrative burden of teachers and allow them to focus on their real and constructive duty, educating the future of the country. “With fewer election duties, teachers will have more time and energy to contribute toward nation-building. Real change begins with education, and today, that change is the need of the hour,” he added.

BJP National General Secretary Sunil Bansal and former BJP Delhi Vice President Rajiv Babbar joined the event as special guests.