December 17, 2024: The Government's ambitious "One Nation, One Election" proposal took a major step forward today as Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the two constitutional amendment bills in the Lok Sabha. The bills, aimed at synchronizing elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, were met with sharp opposition but secured a significant majority vote in the Lower House.

After an initial round of discussions, Meghwal moved a motion to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bills seek to amend several provisions of the Constitution to allow for simultaneous elections across the country. The motion was put to a vote, with 269 members voting in favor and 198 against it.

The proposal has garnered considerable attention and controversy since it was first mooted. While the bills were introduced, the Opposition parties wasted no time in voicing their concerns, leading to a division of votes. Key opposition parties such as the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have vehemently opposed the idea of simultaneous elections, accusing the government of undermining democratic principles.

Congress MP Manish Tewari was one of the loudest critics, arguing that the bills would "assault the Constitution's basic structure doctrine." He claimed that the introduction and consideration of the One Nation, One Election bills were beyond the legislative competence of the House and urged the government to withdraw them immediately.

Similarly, Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party called the proposed reforms an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to impose a “dictatorship” on the country. Yadav stated that the bills would concentrate too much power in the hands of the central government and weaken the federal structure of India.

The bills propose key constitutional changes, including the addition of Article 82(A), which would mandate simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Additionally, the bills call for amendments to Articles 83, 172, and 327, which govern the duration of parliamentary and assembly terms and the powers of Parliament in relation to elections.

Under the proposed changes, if the Lok Sabha or any state assembly is dissolved before completing its full term, mid-term elections would only be held for that legislature to complete the remainder of its five-year term. This would mark a significant departure from the current system, where elections are held independently for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The bills have now been referred to a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament for further scrutiny. The committee will examine the proposed amendments and submit its report, which will play a crucial role in determining whether the legislation will move forward.

While the BJP government has been steadfast in promoting the idea of simultaneous elections as a way to reduce election-related costs and ensure better governance, the opposition remains critical, arguing that the move could destabilize the democratic process and concentrate power at the center.

The debate is expected to continue as the bills proceed through the parliamentary process, with both supporters and detractors preparing for an extended discussion on the implications of these landmark changes to India's electoral system.