One Nation, One Election Bill in Lok Sabha: Everything You Need to Know

A bill proposing a constitutional amendment to conduct Lok Sabha and assembly elections at the same time has been tabled for discussion in the Lok Sabha. The bill saw the support of 269 members of Parliament while 198 were in opposition.

The bill will now be introduced in Rajya Sabha. Once passed from there it will be sent to President for final approval.

What is One Nation, One Election Bill?

The bill, approved by the Cabinet last week, aims to synchronize elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Delhi with the rest of the country.

According to the provisions, the actual simultaneous election procedure won't begin until 2034.

According to the Lok Sabha agenda, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will present the "One Nation, One Election" bill. He may then ask Speaker Om Birla to forward the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion.

The bill proposes amending Articles 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament), 172, and 327 (authority of Parliament to make laws with respect to elections to Legislatures) and adding Article 82(A) (simultaneous elections to the House of the People and all Legislative Assemblies).

When will India have One Nation, One Election?

According to the proposed bill, the amendment's provisions would take effect on a "appointed date," which the President will announce during the first Lok Sabha meeting following a general election.

The bill states that simultaneous elections will start in 2034 and that the "appointed date" will take place following the subsequent Lok Sabha elections in 2029.

The House of the People (Lok Sabha) will have a five-year term from the date of appointment, and any legislative assemblies elected after that date will have their terms terminated by the Lok Sabha's.

What will Happen in Case of Mid Term Elections?

Additionally, it states that if a Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha is dissolved before the conclusion of its entire term, the new Assembly will serve the remaining portion of the prior term.

Bill Requires 66% Majority of the House

The government will require the backing of 361 Members of Parliament, as the Lok Sabha currently has 542 members. The government will require support from non-aligned parties such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in addition to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The administration needs the support of 154 Members of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, which currently has 231 members. There are now 114 members of the NDA, six nominated members, 86 members of the Opposition INDIA, and 25 members of other parties in the Rajya House.

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