Sat Dec 14 10:32:16 UTC 2024: ## One Nation, One Election Bill to be Introduced in Indian Parliament
**New Delhi, December 14, 2024** – The Indian government will introduce a landmark bill on Monday, December 16th, aiming to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) and all state legislative assemblies. Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will table “The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024” in the Lok Sabha.
The bill, approved by the Union Cabinet and based on a report submitted by a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, seeks to implement “One Nation, One Election” from 2034 onwards. This initiative, first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to streamline the election process and reduce the financial burden associated with frequent elections.
The government will introduce two separate bills: one for conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, and another specifically addressing simultaneous elections in Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir. After introduction, the bill is expected to be referred to a parliamentary committee for further deliberation and consultation with various political parties.
Currently, Lok Sabha and state assembly elections are held separately, based on the five-year term or premature dissolution of the government. While some states, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, currently hold simultaneous elections, the timing varies significantly across others.
The government’s move has generated considerable debate, with the opposition yet to officially respond. The parliamentary process will be closely watched to see how this major constitutional amendment progresses. The bill’s passage would mark a significant change to India’s electoral system.
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