Lok Sabha to Discuss 'One Nation One Election' Bill on Dec 16

On December 16, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is set to introduce 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' in the Lok Sabha.

According to the business agenda, Arjun Ram Meghwal is poised to request authorization to present the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, which intends to make further amendments to the Constitution of India.

The initial amendment bill aims to hold concurrent elections for the Lok Sabha and State assemblies, along with another bill to synchronize elections for the assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.

Simultaneously, Arjun Ram Meghwal will present the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, requesting approval to introduce a Bill to further 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. Furthermore, he will introduce the Bill.

Several opposition leaders have questioned the One Nation One election proposal saying it was impractical and an attack on federalism
Senior Congress leader and RS MP Digvijay Singh said, 'One Nation, One Election' said that if a state government falls in six months or loses its majority, will the state have to remain without a government for the rest of the 4.5 years.

He stated, "Elections cannot be postponed for more than 6 months in any state.If the One Nation One Election policy is put into effect and a state government falls within six months because of a no-confidence motion, will we be left without a government for the next 4.5 years? This is not possible in this country... In the past, governments typically served their entire 5-year term, However, nowadays some governments last for 2.5 years, while others last for 3 years."

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh insisted that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill should be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, claiming that the bill threatens democracy.

"The bill is set to be introduced in Parliament, and we aim for it to be reviewed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will deliberate on it. The Indian National Congress's stance was made clear last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who addressed a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, expressing our opposition to the bill," Ramesh told ANI.

The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation One Election' bill on December 12, clearing the way for its presentation in Parliament. However, the bill sparked a debate between the ruling and opposition parties before its introduction in Parliament.

Multiple parties within the INDIA bloc rejected the bill, whereas the BJP-led NDA alliance parties supported it, claiming it would save time and establish a foundation for synchronized elections nationwide.

Significantly, in September of this year, the Union Cabinet sanctioned the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, which seeks to conduct concurrent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, as well as urban body and panchayat elections, all within a 100-day period.

A report by a high-level panel led by former President Kovind presented the recommendations. After the Cabinet approved them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the decision, describing it as an important advancement for India's democracy.