On December 17, 2024, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two constitutional amendment bills in the Lok Sabha, aiming to synchronize Lok Sabha and state assembly elections under the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative.
The bills garnered 269 votes in favor and 198 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority for passage.
Following their introduction, the bills were referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberation.
Opposition leaders have vehemently criticized the proposed legislation, labeling it as anti-constitutional and a threat to India’s federal structure.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi asserted that the bill undermines federalism, stating, “We are opposing the Bill.”
Her colleague, Shashi Tharoor, emphasized that the bill could deprive citizens of their mandate, arguing that it disrupts the parliamentary system’s flexibility and could lead to arbitrary governance changes.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray described the initiative as a diversion from pressing national issues and called for a transparent electoral process before implementing such a proposal.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee condemned the bill as an overt attack on democracy, suggesting it would strip citizens of their fundamental right to vote regularly and hold governments accountable.
In defense, Law Minister Meghwal contended that the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal aligns with efforts to streamline electoral processes and enhance governance efficiency.
The government maintains that simultaneous elections would reduce the frequency and cost of polls, allowing politicians to focus more on governance.
Despite these assurances, the opposition remains steadfast in its resistance, perceiving the bill as a move towards centralizing power and undermining the democratic framework.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee is expected to conduct detailed discussions on the bill, considering the diverse perspectives and concerns raised by various stakeholders.
The outcome of these deliberations will significantly influence the future of electoral reforms in India.
