The government is set to introduce the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bills in the Lok Sabha on December 16, aiming to synchronize Lok Sabha, state assembly, urban body, and panchayat elections. The move seeks to reduce election costs, streamline governance, and minimize administrative disruptions. These bills are based on recommendations by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
New Delhi: Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal set to introduce The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on December 16.
This bill aims to amend the Constitution to enable simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, including the assemblies of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
Last Thursday, the Cabinet approved the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, along with the Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2024, which were circulated to MPs on Friday evening.
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Key Highlights of the Proposed Legislation:
- The bill seeks to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, urban bodies, and panchayats across the country within 100 days, following recommendations from a high-level panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
- Meghwal will also present a separate bill to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
- The BJP-led NDA government has endorsed the proposal, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it a crucial step toward strengthening democracy in India. The government argues that simultaneous elections will conserve time, resources, and alleviate pressure on administrative systems.
- The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal has faced strong opposition from parties within the INDIA bloc. Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh labeled the idea “impractical,” raising concerns about the implications if a state government loses its majority mid-term, stating, “Elections cannot be postponed for more than six months. If a state government falls within six months, will we remain without a government for 4.5 years?”
- Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has called for the bill to be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for comprehensive review, asserting that it undermines democratic principles.
- Ramesh also noted that the party had previously articulated its opposition in a detailed letter from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to Kovind’s committee. Several parties from the INDIA bloc have echoed concerns, labeling the bill an attack on the federal governance structure.
- The ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative has ignited a nationwide debate, with the ruling BJP and allies backing the measure, while opposition parties voice worries about its feasibility and potential consequences.
- In September, the Union Cabinet greenlit the proposal, which has been a longstanding goal for the BJP. The bill’s introduction in Parliament follows its Cabinet approval on December 12.
The draft bills stipulate that simultaneous elections will take effect on an “appointed date” announced by the President during the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election. The Constitution Amendment Bill proposes that all state assemblies elected after this appointed date will have their terms shortened to coincide with the full term of the Lok Sabha, facilitating simultaneous elections.
Since the first sitting of the Lok Sabha elected in 2024 has already occurred, the earliest the appointed date can be declared is during the first sitting of the House after the 2029 elections, meaning simultaneous polls could potentially occur by 2034.
The bill introduces a new Article 82(A), which addresses simultaneous elections for the House of the People and all Legislative Assemblies, and amends Articles 83, 172, and 327 concerning the duration of Parliament and state legislatures. A similar approach is taken for the bill related to Union territories, affecting assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
These bills drafted based on recommendations from a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, established by the Law Ministry on September 2, 2023, to explore amendments necessary for simultaneous elections. According to the bills, if the Lok Sabha or any state or UT assembly is dissolved before completing its full term, mid-term elections will be held solely for that legislature to fulfill the remainder of the five-year term.
The new Article 82(A) states,
“The President may, by a public notification issued on the day of the first sitting of the House by the people after a general election, bring into force the provision of this article; that date of the notification shall be called the appointed date.”
It also clarifies that,
“Notwithstanding anything in article 83 and article 172, the term of all legislative assemblies constituted in any general election held after the appointed date and before the expiry of the full term of the House of the people shall come to an end on the expiry of the full term of the House of the people.”
In the statement of objects and reasons, the government cited the “expensive and time-consuming” nature of elections as a key reason for pursuing simultaneous elections, although it did not specify the associated costs or precise timeline for implementation.
The concept of “One Nation, One Election” proposes an electoral reform in India that aims to align the timing of elections for the Lok Sabha (Parliament), state legislative assemblies, and local governing bodies (both urban and rural) across the nation. This initiative intends to simplify the electoral system by holding all elections simultaneously, ideally within a span of 100 days.
The goals of this reform include reducing the financial burden associated with frequent elections, minimizing disruptions to governance and public administration, and creating a more streamlined and effective democratic process. Proponents believe that this approach would enhance efficiency and conserve resources. However, critics express concerns regarding its feasibility, potential effects on federalism, and the level of preparedness needed to implement such a large-scale change.