One Nation, One Election Bills Approved by Modi Cabinet: What's Next?

The Modi government has approved two key bills under the "One Nation, One Election" plan, aiming to hold Lok Sabha and state assembly elections at the same time. This is part of efforts to reform India's electoral system and could be introduced during the ongoing winter session of Parliament by December 20, 2024.

The government’s decision comes ahead of a special discussion on the Constitution in Parliament. The bills are expected to be introduced on Friday or early Monday and may be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed review and consultation.

What are the Two Bills under One Nation, One Election?

One bill aims to match the terms of laws pertaining to Union Territories having Legislative Assemblies with those of other Legislative Assemblies.

The other bill aims to amend the Constitution to allow Lok Sabha and state assembly elections to be held simultaneously. It proposes changes to key constitutional articles like 82A, 83(2), and 327.

How Will One Nation, One Election be Implemented?

The process for streamlining the elections in India won’t be an easy task to do. It is suggested that the elections will be conducted in two phases:

• Phase 1: Hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies.
• Phase 2: Align municipal and panchayat elections with Lok Sabha and state assembly elections within 100 days.

Why is One Nation, One Election Important?

This initiative has been a priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since 2014. Supporters believe it will:

• Reduce election costs.
• Streamline administrative work.
• Avoid the disruptions caused by frequent elections.

One Nation, One Election Bills Will be Presented on…

The "One Nation, One Election" bills are expected to be introduced during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, which ends on 20 December 2024.

What happens next?

After Cabinet approval, the bills will likely be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further review. The government also plans to launch a large campaign to inform the public about the potential changes.

This move is a significant step in reforming India's election system and could have long-term effects on how democracy works at both the national and state levels.

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