The Indian Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday as the government introduced two bills proposing "One Nation, One Election", or simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. While the Opposition criticized the bills for infringing upon the federal structure, the government defended its decision and sent the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion. This marked the first use of electronic voting in the new Parliament House. The bills also include amendments to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed changes.
One Nation, One Election: Moving Towards Simultaneous Polls in India
Background
The concept of "One Nation, One Election" (ONE) has been debated in India for several years. It proposes holding elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and all state assemblies simultaneously, instead of the staggered elections currently held.
The main objective of ONE is to reduce the cost and disruption caused by multiple elections, which often lead to a prolonged period of election campaigning. It also aims to align the tenure of the central and state governments, enabling better coordination and policy implementation.
Recent Developments
On December 9, 2019, the Indian government introduced two bills in Parliament to implement ONE. The bills, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019, and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2019, propose amendments to the Constitution and electoral laws to facilitate simultaneous elections.
The bills were met with strong opposition from the Opposition, which argued that they would undermine the federal structure of the country. The Opposition also raised concerns about the impact on regional parties and the representation of diverse interests.
However, the government defended the bills, stating that they would promote stability, reduce expenditure, and strengthen democracy. It also sent the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion.
FAQs
1. What is the main benefit of ONE? Reducing the cost and disruption caused by multiple elections.
2. How would ONE affect the tenure of state governments? It would align the tenure of central and state governments, enabling better coordination and policy implementation.
3. What are the arguments against ONE? Opponents argue that it would undermine the federal structure and reduce the representation of diverse interests.
4. Is ONE a new concept in India? No, the idea has been debated for several years. However, it has not been implemented yet.
5. What is the current status of the ONE bills? The bills have been introduced in Parliament and sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion.
Conclusion
The debate over ONE is likely to continue as the Joint Parliamentary Committee examines the bills and seeks public feedback. The eventual outcome of this process will determine whether India adopts simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
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On Home Minister Amit Shah's birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to convey his wishes and praise his efforts towards improving India's internal security. Modi highlighted Shah's dedication to public service and hardworking nature, which has earned him admiration from across the country.