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.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty in New Delhi to discuss the implementation of NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI scheme, which has been put on hold by the state government. The meeting comes amidst tensions between the Centre and the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala over the scheme. Discussions also touched on securing funds for educational priorities and the pending central share for Samagra Shiksha Kerala.
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