Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two bills in Lok Sabha proposing simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in the country. The bills, officially known as the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024', faced stiff opposition from the opposition parties, with many calling for the bills to be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultations. However, the bills, if passed, will align the elections of union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Delhi with Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly polls.
Background
India has a complex electoral system with elections held at multiple levels, including national (Lok Sabha), state (Vidhan Sabha), and local (municipal bodies). The current system of staggered elections has several disadvantages, including:
To address these challenges, the Government of India has proposed the "One Nation, One Election" bill, which aims to synchronize the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) on December 2, 2024, by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Opposition to the Bill
The bill has faced stiff opposition from opposition parties, who raise concerns about:
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the main objective of the One Nation, One Election bill?
To synchronize the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in India, reducing election costs and disruptions to governance.
2. How will the bill change the election schedule?
The bill will allow the Election Commission to determine the dates for both Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, which will be held simultaneously in all states and union territories.
3. Why are there concerns about the bill?
Opposition parties fear it will violate federalism, reduce states' autonomy, and lead to electoral fatigue.
4. Has any such bill been introduced in the past?
Yes, the Law Commission of India recommended the same in its 170th report in 1999. However, the bill never became a law.
5. What happens if the bill is passed?
If passed by Parliament, the bill will become law and the provisions for simultaneous elections will come into effect. However, the final outcome of the bill is uncertain as it requires the support of two-thirds of the members of each house of Parliament.
Following his party's disappointing performance in the recent Bihar Assembly election, politician Prashant Kishor has raised concerns about the voting results, stating that they did not align with the public sentiment he witnessed during his campaign. Despite this setback, Kishor remains determined to build a stronger political organization and continue engaging with the public in preparation for future elections. He also addressed criticisms of his role as an election strategist, reminding critics that one loss does not define his political future.
Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced four new labour codes aimed at protecting the rights and well-being of 40 crore workers across the country. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has hailed the move as transformative and a major step towards ensuring the welfare of the workforce. The new codes bring in much-needed changes such as formalisation and transparency through appointment letters, and universal social security coverage for all workers including gig and platform workers.
In Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, a police constable is in hot water for allegedly forging a court order to clear his name in an old case, with the intention of securing a promotion. The fabricated document surfaced during an internal investigation, prompting authorities to file a fresh case against the constable. This incident adds to the growing issue of corruption and misuse of power within the police force.
The Supreme Court has directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fact-finding inquiry against Vantara, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Gujarat, following allegations of non-compliance with laws and acquisition of animals. The SIT, headed by former apex court judge J Chelameswar, will also look into reports of irregularities and complaints from NGOs and wildlife organizations. Vantara has assured full cooperation to the probe and reaffirmed their commitment to animal welfare.
The ongoing family feud within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) continues to escalate as three more daughters of party patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav have left the family residence in Bihar's capital Patna. This comes just a day after another daughter, Rohini Acharya, publicly denounced the family and quit politics following the party's poor performance in the recent elections. Amidst allegations of insults and mistreatment, the saga continues to unfold within the Yadav family.
In a special lecture series in Bengaluru, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized on the Hindu identity as a responsible and proud son of Bharat Mata. He urged the Hindu society to come together and share the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' with the rest of the world. Bhagwat also recalled the RSS founder and its journey of facing opposition and growth through dedication and sacrifice of its volunteers.
As the West Bengal Assembly elections near, the political battle between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified on social media. Following the BJP's victory in Bihar, the party declared its hopes to defeat TMC in Bengal on a popular platform, while TMC leader Kunal Ghosh responded with a proverb highlighting the BJP's potential failure in Bengal. Despite BJP's confidence, TMC remains unfazed and asserts their strong hold in the state.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was criticized by BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla for going on a jungle safari in Madhya Pradesh's Satpura Tiger Reserve instead of focusing on the ongoing Bihar elections. Gandhi had earlier claimed that "vote theft" had taken place in several states, including Madhya Pradesh. BJP's Poonawalla mocked Gandhi's "priorities" and referred to him as the "Leader of Paryatan and partying."
The sudden blast in Delhi that left several people dead has shocked everyone, including Bollywood stars Raveena Tandon, Thalapathy Vijay, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. While police are investigating all possible angles, including a terrorist conspiracy, Raveena's comments on social media suggest a link to terrorist activity. The celebrities also expressed their condolences to the victims and their families.
In a historic move, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced that it will be releasing 32 prisoners, including nine from tribal communities, on November 15 to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas or Tribal Pride Day. This decision, initiated by Governor Mangubhai C Patel, aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions of tribal communities on the birth anniversary of their icon, Birsa Munda. This is the first time in India that prisoners will be released on grounds of good conduct while serving jail terms. However, it should be noted that the release will not apply to convicts in cases of rape or the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), as well as those convicted in multiple murder cases.