Tue Dec 17 10:00:00 UTC 2024: **Parliament Passes One Nation-One Election Bill to Joint Parliamentary Committee**
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024, witnessed a heated debate and subsequent passage of the One Nation-One Election Bill. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill, sparking immediate opposition from parties within the INDIA alliance, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress.
The bill, which proposes simultaneous elections for all levels of government, faced strong criticism. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee argued the bill contradicts the fundamental structure of the Constitution, asserting that Parliament dictating the tenure of state governments elected by the people is unconstitutional. Concerns were also raised regarding the bill’s potential impact on regional parties and the expansion of the Election Commission’s power. Some opposition members labeled the bill as fulfilling a personal desire rather than a genuine electoral reform.
Despite the opposition, the bill received the necessary support to be passed. Voting in the Lok Sabha saw 220 votes in favor and 149 against. Following the vote, Minister Meghwal proposed sending the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberation. Opposition parties requested a division on this proposal, which was granted by Speaker Om Birla. The vote on referring the bill to the JPC also passed with a majority vote. The voting process itself marked a milestone, being the first time electronic voting was used in the new Parliament building.
While the government, including Amit Shah, emphasized that the JPC would allow for comprehensive discussions, opposition parties, such as the DMK and AAP, maintained their opposition, citing concerns about the bill’s constitutional validity and its potential to undermine federalism. The TDP, however, voiced support for the bill, highlighting potential cost savings and increased voter turnout.
The debate highlighted a fundamental disagreement on the bill’s merits. Supporters argued for efficiency and reduced election expenses, while opponents argued it would harm the spirit of federalism and potentially lead to authoritarian tendencies. The bill’s future now lies with the JPC’s deliberations.
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