A bill proposing the introduction of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, titled The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The bill could be referred to a joint committee of both Houses for further deliberations.
The proposed one nation, one election initiative requires broad consensus as it also involves state and local elections. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is scheduled to present the bill in the Lok Sabha, and afterward, he may request Speaker Om Birla to send the bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament for wider consultations.
The bill, approved by the Cabinet last week, also seeks to align elections in union territories like Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and the NCT of Delhi. However, the process for simultaneous elections is not expected to begin until 2034.
Key features of the bill include provisions that if a Lok Sabha or state assembly is dissolved before completing its full term, mid-term elections will be held only to complete the remainder of the term. The bill proposes amendments to Articles 82, 83, 172, and 327 to accommodate the changes.
The bill outlines that the amendments will come into effect after the 2029 general elections, with simultaneous elections expected to start in 2034. It also specifies that the tenure of the Lok Sabha and any legislative assembly elected after the appointed date will end simultaneously.
Opposition Criticism
The one nation, one election proposal has faced strong opposition from various political parties and activists who argue that it undermines democratic accountability. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has demanded the bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussions, reiterating the party’s opposition. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin described the bill as “draconian,” while CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas argued that it goes against the federal spirit of the country.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condemned the bill, labeling it an “authoritarian imposition” and vowing that her party MPs would oppose it in Parliament.
Government’s Path Forward
To pass the bill, the government needs support from 361 MPs in the Lok Sabha, including those from non-aligned parties like YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and AIADMK. In the Rajya Sabha, the government requires 154 MPs, with the NDA currently holding 114 seats.
