The Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal on Tuesday, introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and The Union Territory (Amendment) Bill commonly referred to as “One Nation, One Election” Bill in Lok Sabha. The bill proposes synchronizing Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and Local body Elections, a move the government argues will save election costs and improve governance.
Opposition parties set fiery contentions to the said bill, claiming it to be “anti-federal and unconstitutional”. Opposition argued against the introduction of the bill with further demand for its reference to Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
BJP argues that conducting elections at different intervals, often every six months, places a financial bug on the national expenses. The bill seeks to establish a synchronized electoral process, which the ruling BJP claims will significantly reduce costs and administrative challenges associated with frequent elections. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has promised provisions to address financial implications in supplementary budget discussions subsequently in the LokSabha.
The Bill was constructed with the recommendations made by a High-Level Committee (HLC) panel chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, formed by the Union Government on September 2, 2023. The HLC includedprominent members and legal luminaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and legal experts like Harish Salve and Subhash C. Kashyap. The Committee had submitted its comprehensive report on March 14, 2024.
Over the year, the committee consulted with political parties, constitutional experts, and stakeholders to develop a roadmap for its implementation. The report included comprehensive recommendations and the amendment of the Constitution such as amending Article 82A, synchronizing the terms of State Assemblies with Lok Sabha and synchronizing it with the Local Body Elections.
Amending Article 82A of the Constitution empowers the President to designate an “Appointed date” for the commencement of simultaneous elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies. The committee has recommended for the local body elections to be held within 100 days of holding the State Assemblies and the Lok SabhaElection.
While the ruling party hails the bill as a visionary swap, opposition parties have raised concerns about its impact on India’s federal structure. Critics argue that states have unique political and governance challenges, and synchronized elections could undermine their ability to address local issues independently.
The government remains positive about the skeleton of the bill, citing public support and a precedent of simultaneous elections in India’s early democratic years as well.Simultaneous elections were held during the early phases since independence from 1952 to 1967.
However, the debate over balancing economic efficiency with democratic principles is likely to intensify as the proposal moves through Parliament.
Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has already expressed support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy. Welcoming the move, the CM had expressed that the policy aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “making Indian democracy more vibrant and participative”.
He had said that the move would offer significant benefits ,including economic efficiency, streamlined electoral efforts, and a unified approach to governance. “A belief towards a unified electoral process would simplify voting for citizens and promote higher voter participation, contributing to the state and national overall development” he had shared in his Social media page on September 19 earlier this year.
Report by : Mahesh Chhetri / Law Student
