“One Nation, One Election” Bill to Be Introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday

New Delhi: The Union Government is set to introduce the “One Nation, One Election” Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, according to the scheduled list of business for the day. The initiative, aimed at facilitating simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and Union territory assemblies, will be presented by Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Last Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, alongside the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and shared the drafts with Members of Parliament. Meghwal is also expected to table a separate bill to amend key laws, including the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

These legislative measures are rooted in recommendations by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee, established by the Law Ministry on September 2, 2023, was tasked with examining the feasibility of implementing the “One Nation, One Election” framework.

The proposal has sparked sharp opposition, particularly from parties in the INDIA bloc, which argue that it threatens the federal structure of the country. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticized the bill, calling for it to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for in-depth review, citing concerns about its impact on democracy.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier outlined the party’s objections in a detailed letter to the Kovind-led committee. Multiple opposition parties have echoed similar concerns, asserting that the proposal undermines the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution.