The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, commonly known as the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, is set to be introduced by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law & Justice, in the winter session of Parliament. This Bill proposes significant amendments to the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous electionsfor the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Key Amendments Proposed
1. Insertion of Article 82A – Simultaneous Elections
- Article 82A will be inserted to mandate simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies.
- Definition: Simultaneous elections mean general elections held concurrently for the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies.
- The President, through a public notification issued on the date of the first sitting of the newly elected Lok Sabha, will enforce this Article.
- The term of all Legislative Assemblies elected after the notification date will end alongside the Lok Sabha’s term.
2. Conduct of Simultaneous Elections
- Article 82A(3) empowers the Election Commission to conduct general elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies simultaneously before the expiry of the Lok Sabha's term.
- The provisions of Part XV (Elections) of the Constitution will apply, with modifications as specified by the Election Commission.
3. Deferred Elections
- Article 82A(5) allows the Election Commission to recommend deferment of Assembly elections if they cannot coincide with Lok Sabha elections.
- The President may issue an order to conduct such elections at a later date.
4. Legislative Assembly’s Term
- Even if elections are deferred, the Legislative Assembly’s full term will end simultaneously with the Lok Sabha’s term, overriding Article 172.
Provisions for Mid-Term Elections
Amendments to Article 83 (Lok Sabha)
- Clauses 3 to 7 will address mid-term elections if the Lok Sabha is dissolved early.
- The new Lok Sabha elected during the mid-term election will serve only the unexpired term of the dissolved Lok Sabha.
- Similar provisions will apply to State Assemblies, ensuring alignment with Lok Sabha terms during mid-term elections.
Union Territories Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024
To extend the reforms to Union Territories, amendments will be made to:
- Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
- Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
These changes will facilitate simultaneous and mid-term elections for Union Territories.
Rationale Behind the Bill
The Statement of Objects and Reasons highlights several benefits:
- Reduces disruption caused by frequent elections and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct.
- Ensures uninterrupted development programs.
- Prevents diversion of manpower for prolonged election duties.
The proposal stems from the recommendations of the High-Level Committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, formed in September 2023.
