In a bid to improve the electoral process in India, the government on Tuesday (December 17) introduced the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament).
The proposal, endorsed by the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, seeks to address the challenges caused by frequent and fragmented elections in the country.
Introduction and voting
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tabled the bill, followed by a voting process which included votes from a total of 369 members. The first voting gave a result of 220 votes in favor and 149 against the motion. However, after protests by the Opposition, Speaker Om Birla decided to conduct another round for members who felt their response needed to be recorded again.
In the second round, a majority of 269 votes were in favor of the bill. Speaker Om Birla is yet to give his decision whether the bill will be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for review.
‘One Nation, One Election’ bill explained
With the introduction of the bill, the government plans to hold the Lok Sabha, Assembly, and local body elections (both urban and rural) in the same year, though not necessarily at the same time. The panel has suggested that the initial step is to conduct the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together. The local body elections can follow within 100 days.
If the Bill is passed without modifications, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative could be implemented starting in 2034.
Mixed reactions
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had included the proposal to align elections in its 2024 election manifesto. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies are in support of the Bill.
“If simultaneous elections are held, voter turnout will increase… I support the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill,” Indian political party TDP’s leader Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said.
However, the proposal faces strong opposition from several political parties and activists, who argue that it would undermine democratic accountability.
“Parliament is not competent to make any law that violates fundamental rights. This Bill will indirectly introduce a presidential style of democracy; it will maximise political convenience; and this Bill will finish regional political parties. This Bill has been introduced only to massage the ego of the Supreme Leader,” Hyderabad’s political party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s leader Asaduddin Owaisi said.
Congress leader Manish Tewari also opposed the bills saying that these “are an assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and against democracy. It lacks legislative competency. The term of State legislatures cannot be made subject to the term of Lok Sabha.”