'One Nation One Election' Bill to be Introduced on Dec 16

New Delhi: Taking a big step toward implementing the “One Nation, One Election” concept, the Union government has scheduled the introduction of two related bills in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The proposed legislation — The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill — will be presented by Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The Bills, once introduced, are likely to be referred to a Parliamentary committee for detailed examination and suggestions. On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Circulated to Members of Parliament on Friday evening, the drafts do not currently include provisions for holding municipality and panchayat polls simultaneously with national and state elections.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to amend the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous elections across the country. The companion legislation, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to revise 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, aligning them with the proposed nationwide schedule.

Under the draft provisions, simultaneous elections would come into force on an “appointed date” to be announced by the President after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election. After this date, all state legislative assemblies would see their terms adjusted to end concurrently with the Lok Sabha’s full term. To achieve this, the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill inserts Article 82(A) and amends Articles 83, 172, and 327, enabling synchronisation of election cycles. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill similarly harmonizes the terms of legislative assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.