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.
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has announced that it will conduct a re-test for the students who were allotted the Patna’s Bapu Pariksha Bhavan as the exam centre for the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination. The decision was made after CCTV footage revealed that some miscreants created chaos at the centre, causing issues for other students. The re-exam is expected to take place in the second or third week of January, and strict action will be taken against those involved in the incident.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's fiery address at the Rajya Sabha revealed the Congress party's hypocritical stance towards the Constitution of India, as he slammed the party for their past actions of appeasement politics and manipulation of the Constitution for their own gain. He also highlighted the ruling government's efforts towards fulfilling their poll promises through landmark bills such as ONOP, which aims to synchronise the tenures of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. Opposition leaders, however, have voiced their disapproval, labelling the move as an attack on the democratic process.
The highly anticipated 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, which proposes simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, is set to be introduced in the Parliament. The Cabinet approved the Bill in December, but it has sparked a heated debate between the ruling and Opposition parties. While the BJP and its allies are in favor of the Bill, several Opposition parties, including Congress and TMC, are against it. The panel, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, recommended implementing the Bill in two phases, causing further controversy.
Protests erupted in Ranchi as student groups, led by JLKM, took to the streets demanding justice against alleged rigging in the JSSC CGL exam. As police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, prominent student leader Devendra Nath Mahato was also detained. Despite ongoing protests and CM Hemant Soren's announcement of a CID probe, the JSSC has continued with the document verification process for shortlisted candidates, sparking further outrage among students.
Amit Shah announced the government's goal to end Maoism in Chhattisgarh by 2026 and praised the state police for their courage and achievements in the past year. He also commended the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the significant drop in fatalities among security forces and citizens in the past decade. Shah assured the people of Chhattisgarh that the newly elected BJP government, led by CM Vishnu Deo Sai, will work towards achieving the goal of ending naxalism in the state by March 31, 2026.
At her first Parliament session after winning the election in Wayanad, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra caused a stir by bringing a bag with "Palestine" written on it. She has been vocal about her concerns regarding the Israeli military's actions in Gaza and has even met with the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi. However, her gesture received strong criticism from BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who deemed it as a desperate attempt for attention.
Amid Uproar, Jaishankar Confirms India's Accessibility to Depsang and Demchok Patrolling Points after Disengagement with China The ongoing tension between India and China reached the parliament when Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned the accessibility of Indian patrolling points in Depsang and Demchok after recent disengagement. In response, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar clarified that after the understanding between the two countries, the Indian forces now have access to all patrolling points, including the historically disputed areas in Depsang. Additionally, Indian troops have reported that Chinese troops have withdrawn from the Depsang area, allowing Indian forces to patrol the Y Junction and Raki Nala as agreed upon in the meeting.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Gandhi family in a heated parliamentary debate on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's adoption. He accused the Congress family for amending the Constitution 75 times in 55 years and defying the ideals of democracy and equality. PM Modi specifically called out former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for disrespecting the Constitution during the Emergency and for promoting the idea of a "Committed Judiciary". He stated that the Gandhi family's bad habit of changing the Constitution for their own interests has led to the neglect of fundamental rights and the oppression of innocent citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the Constitution during the Lok Sabha debate on Saturday sparked uproar in the Opposition benches. He accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of using the Constitution to suit their interests and claimed that his government's amendments were not for tightening their grip on power. In response, the AAP announced a special tribute on Monday to commemorate the December 16 gangrape and discuss crimes against women in Delhi in a "Mahila Adalat" format. Meanwhile, a Delhi court is expected to deliver its verdict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots murder case involving former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar.