Government Moves Towards ‘One Nation, One Election’ with Two Key Bills

On Tuesday, the government introduced two important Bills in Lok Sabha to begin implementing the long-discussed “One Nation, One Election” initiative. This plan aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented the Bills, including a Constitution Amendment Bill to align the terms of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, and another Bill to amend relevant Acts for Union Territories and Delhi.

Key Takeaways:

1. Simultaneous Elections: The Bills only cover Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, excluding municipal elections.
2. Implementation Timeline: Simultaneous polls could start as early as 2034, assuming full terms for the 18th and 19th Lok Sabhas.
3. Mid-term Elections: The Bills also address scenarios where elections may need to be held mid-term.

For the Constitutional Amendment to pass, a “special majority” in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is required. This means half of both Houses must vote in favor, with two-thirds of those present also agreeing.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments:

The Bills reflect the High-Level Committee’s recommendations on One Nation, One Election, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes several key changes:

1. Article 82A: This new article will allow simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
2. Election Timeline: The President can bring changes into effect after the first sitting of Lok Sabha following a general election.
3. Term Adjustments: Some state Assemblies may have shortened terms to align with Lok Sabha elections.

The Bill also allows the Election Commission to defer elections for certain Assemblies if required, ensuring that all elections are held together.

Mid-Term Elections:

The Bill outlines changes to Article 83, allowing for partial terms if the Lok Sabha is dissolved early. The new Lok Sabha will serve the remaining term from the date of dissolution.

State Assemblies:

Similar amendments will be made to Article 172 for state Assemblies. If a state Assembly is dissolved mid-term, elections will be held only for the remaining period.

Second Bill: Union Territories

The second Bill, The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes changes to election laws for Union Territories and Delhi to align with the new system.