Parliament Session Today’s Updates: ‘One Nation One Election’ Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha; 269 Vote in Favour, 198 Against

Parliament Session Today’s Updates: Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, promoting the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative designed to align elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country.

Meghwal has suggested modifications in parliament session to the Government of Union Territories Act of 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act of 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019. These amendments aim to synchronize assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed framework for conducting simultaneous elections.

Congress Member of Parliament Manish Tewari expressed his opposition to the bill, describing it as an attack on the fundamental framework of the Constitution. He contended that the principles of federalism and democracy are essential components of the Constitution and cannot be altered by parliamentary amendment.

Dharmendra Yadav, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party (SP), condemned the bill, characterizing it as an attempt to weaken the intentions of the Constitution’s architects and articulating his party’s (Samajwadi Party) firm dissent.

In September, the Union Cabinet endorsed the suggestions made by a High-Level Committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee advocated for the execution of simultaneous elections in two stages: initially merging Lok Sabha and assembly elections, followed by local body elections to be held within 100 days after the general elections.

Additionally, it proposed the establishment of a unified electoral roll for all elections. Despite the government’s push, several opposition leaders, including those from the Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), have voiced their resistance, asserting that the proposal threatens the federal structure and democratic foundations of the country.

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