“One Nation, One Election” Bill Introduced: Key Provisions and Implications
Context:
The “One Nation, One Election” initiative aims to streamline India’s electoral process by holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. This ambitious reform, if implemented, would significantly alter the electoral landscape of the country.
Key Bills Introduced in Parliament: The following key Bills have been introduced in Parliament to enable the implementation of simultaneous elections:
- Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024: This Bill amends the Government of Union Territories Act (1963), the Government of NCT of Delhi Act (1991), and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act (2019) to align Union Territories with the framework for synchronised elections.
- Constitution Amendment Bill: Aimed at facilitating the synchronisation of Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections.
Key Provisions of the “One Nation, One Election” Bill: The “One Nation, One Election” Bills aim to synchronise Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections. The most important aspects of these provisions include:
- Scope of Simultaneous Elections: The proposal is limited to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. Municipal elections are excluded for now.
- Timeline for Implementation: The earliest possible implementation is in the 2034 election cycle, after the 2024–2029 and 2029–2034 Lok Sabha terms are completed.
- The change will take effect from a date specified by the President after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election.
- Exclusion of Municipal Elections: Municipal elections were excluded from the scope of the proposal due to the complexity they would add to the legislative process.
- Including municipal elections would require ratification by at least half of all state legislatures, which would complicate the implementation of the simultaneous election framework.
About the 129th Constitutional Amendment and Its Two Big Changes: The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes amendments to ensure the synchronisation of Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections. Key amendments include-
- Amendment to Existing Articles: The Bill amends Articles 83, 172, and 372, and introduces a new Article 82A.
- New Article 82A: This Article provides the framework for holding simultaneous elections and sets the provisions for synchronising terms between the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
- Article 82A(1-6): Lays out the details for conducting synchronised elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, including provisions for deferred elections and the Election Commission’s role.
Conditions for the Passage of the Bill: For the Constitution Amendment Bill to pass, a special majority is required:
- At least half of the total members in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favor.
- Two-thirds of those present and voting must support the amendment in both Houses.
Amendments for the Mid-term Dissolution of Lok Sabha and Assemblies: The proposed amendments address the possibility of mid-term dissolutions-
- Lok Sabha: If the Lok Sabha is dissolved prematurely, the next Lok Sabha will serve only the unexpired portion of the previous term. Bills pending in a dissolved House will expire.
- State Assemblies: Similarly, if a state Assembly is dissolved early, the next elections will cover only the unexpired term.
- Article 83 and Article 172: These amendments ensure that both the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies can function efficiently despite potential early dissolutions.
Roadblocks for the Passage of the Bills: Despite the potential benefits of synchronised elections, several challenges remain-
- Political Resistance: Opposition parties may resist the proposal, fearing that it could benefit the ruling party by aligning elections.
- Constitutional Hurdles: The need for amendments and ratifications across multiple levels of government may delay the process.
- Logistical and Administrative Challenges: Organising simultaneous elections for a large and diverse country like India poses significant logistical and administrative challenges.
