Decoding 'One Nation, One Election' Bill

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, aimed at enabling simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (December 17), despite vocal opposition from various political parties.

The Bill proposes amendments to the Constitution, including the addition of Article 82A, to facilitate simultaneous elections and recognizes mid-term polls.

It seeks to align the tenure of state assemblies with the Lok Sabha, potentially curtailing their five-year terms for synchronizing election schedules.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Article 82A Addition:

o Sub-Clause 1: Proposes that provisions come into effect on a date appointed by the President through a public notification.

o Sub-Clause 2: Stipulates that the terms of legislative assemblies elected after the appointed date will end with the Lok Sabha's term.

o Sub-Clause 3: Mandates the Election Commission to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

o Sub-Clause 5: Grants the Election Commission authority to defer state elections if simultaneous polling is not feasible, but terms of such assemblies will still align with the Lok Sabha.

o Sub-Clause 7: Defines elections held during the Lok Sabha's unexpired term as mid-term elections, with general elections referring to those conducted after its full term.

2. Amendments to Articles 83 and 172:

o The Bill introduces provisions to clarify the tenure of the Lok Sabha and assemblies, defining full-term and unexpired-term elections.

o It limits the tenure of new assemblies or Lok Sabha formed through mid-term polls to the remaining term of the dissolved House.

Indian National Congress MP Manish Tiwari termed the Bill an "assault on the basic structure of the Constitution" and questioned Parliament’s legislative competency to enact it.

He argued that the proposal undermines democracy. Other MPs, including those from the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress, echoed similar concerns.

The Opposition also criticized the lack of mandatory state legislature ratification, as required for certain constitutional amendments.

The Bill, however, does not involve articles necessitating such ratification.

India held simultaneous elections in 1951–52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this cycle was disrupted due to premature dissolutions of legislative assemblies in the late 1960s.

The Union government justifies the "One Nation, One Election" initiative as a cost-saving measure, claiming it reduces administrative strain, curtails disruption caused by repeated imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, and minimizes diversion of manpower for election duties.

The proposal is backed by a High-Powered Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which submitted its report in March 2024.

The committee supported the initiative and recommended a phased implementation, starting with simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The government argues that synchronized elections would streamline governance and reduce electoral fatigue, but critics see it as a move undermining federal principles and diversity in India’s democratic system.

The Bill now awaits parliamentary debate and scrutiny, with its passage requiring a two-thirds majority in both Houses.