New Delhi, 12 December 2024: The Union Cabinet approved two Bills on Thursday to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan, with the draft legislations expected to be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing Winter session, sources revealed.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources indicated that the government is eager to engage in wider consultations on the Bills, which are expected to be referred to a parliamentary committee for review.
The government also intends to consult the Speakers of various state legislative assemblies through this committee.
The move advances the government’s September approval of recommendations from a high-level committee to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies in a phased manner. The committee’s suggestions form the basis for the proposed Bills.
One of the Bills aims to amend Article 82A by adding provisions for the appointed date and the end of terms for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
The amendments also seek to modify Article 83(2) and introduce new sub-clauses addressing the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha, as well as the dissolution of state legislative assemblies. Additionally, the Bill proposes changes to Article 327, incorporating the term “simultaneous elections.”
This Bill, according to sources, will not require ratification by at least 50% of the states. However, if local body elections are to be held together with the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, ratification by at least 50% of the state assemblies will be necessary, as it pertains to state affairs.
A second Bill will amend provisions in three laws governing Union territories with legislative assemblies — Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.
This Bill will align the terms of these legislative bodies with the Lok Sabha and other state assemblies, as recommended in the first constitutional amendment Bill. It will not require a constitutional change or state ratification.
The high-level committee’s recommendations include amendments to three Articles and the introduction of 12 new sub-clauses, totaling 18 amendments.
The committee’s report, submitted in March before the general election was called, suggested implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan in two phases.