GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Sept. The Indian government is accelerating its efforts to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, aimed at holding simultaneous elections across the country. To facilitate this ambitious plan, three bills are expected to be introduced, including two related to constitutional amendments. One of the proposed amendments will focus on conducting local body elections alongside Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, necessitating the support of at least 50% of the states.
High-Level Committee Recommendations Accepted
Following a nationwide consensus-building exercise earlier this month, the government has accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee advocating for phased simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. The first proposed constitutional amendment bill will address the simultaneous conduct of Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
Proposed Amendments to Article 82A
According to sources referencing the committee’s recommendations, the bill aims to amend Article 82A by adding a sub-clause concerning a “fixed date,” which relates to the simultaneous dissolution of Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Additionally, it proposes amendments to Article 83(2) concerning the tenure and dissolution of Lok Sabha, along with new sub-clauses (3) and (4). It will also include provisions for amending Article 327 to incorporate the phrase “simultaneous elections” regarding the dissolution of assemblies.
Notably, the bill will not require the endorsement of at least 50% of the states, as it does not deal with state-specific subjects. However, the second constitutional amendment bill, which will cover state matters, will need the approval of at least 50% of state assemblies. This bill proposes to amend constitutional provisions concerning the preparation of electoral rolls by the Election Commission (EC) in consultation with State Election Commissions (SEC) for local body elections.
Introduction of New Article 324A
The second proposed constitutional amendment bill will introduce a new Article 324A to facilitate simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats. The third bill will be a general bill amending provisions related to three Union Territories—Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir—aligning the tenures of their legislative assemblies with that of other assemblies and Lok Sabha, as proposed in the first constitutional amendment. The laws subject to amendment include the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, the Union Territory Government Act, 1963, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.
No Need for Constitutional Amendments
The proposed bills will be general laws that do not require amendments to the Constitution and will not need state approval. The high-level committee suggested amending three articles, incorporating 12 new sub-clauses into existing articles, and modifying three laws concerning Union Territories, totaling 18 changes. The committee’s report, submitted in March—just before the announcement of this year’s Lok Sabha elections—recommended implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan in two phases. The first phase would involve simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, while the second phase would see local body elections, such as those for panchayats and municipalities, conducted within 100 days of the general elections.
Conclusion
As the Indian government pushes ahead with the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, the proposed legislative changes reflect a significant step towards electoral reform in the country. The implications of these changes could reshape the political landscape and streamline the electoral process in India.
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